Morning has broken like the first morning/
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird/
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning/
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.
A faint blush of blue and pink appears in the early morning sky on this crisp, still February morning, your first full day of life.
I let the gentle refrain of Cat Stevens’ ballad fill my mind as I sip a mug of coffee and ponder my first words to you, our grandson.
Your father captured the moment perfectly. “We’ve been waiting so long for you,” he said quietly as your mother cradled you to her chest moments after your birth. You were born at Miami Valley Hospital that sits on the outskirts of the University of Dayton where they met and fell in love a decade earlier. You came into the world nine days early.
May you always astonish us in joyful ways.
Your Uncle Ali calls your birth “a God moment.” In a story that will be retold endlessly throughout your life, your birthday was always destined to be a special day. We planned to rendezvous with Ali and Emily at her 91-year-old grandfather’s cabin in the Berkshires to celebrate their engagement. Instead, we canceled at the last minute when your uncle tested positive for COVID, a virus we hope you only read about in history books. Your birth swept away all our sadness and regret.
May you always find the silver lining in life’s ebbs and flows.
You’re entering a complicated world, where hecklers and naysayers spout hate, yet the better angels among us will look out for one another with kindness and empathy.
In the words of one of my childhood heroes, Mr. Rogers, “Look for the helpers.” Don’t just look for them — be one of them. Your parents, one a physical therapist, the other a nutritionist for low-income mothers, are the helpers.
May you always emulate them.
You are born into a diverse, loving family that straddles two cultures and two religions in a divided world. What unites us is our common humanity and our love for each other.
May you learn to appreciate difference and embrace it as your superpower. May your family always be your bedrock.
The sun is now casting a brilliant light over all it touches on this Sunday morn. As you enter our lives, morning has broken like the first morning.
Welcome, Eli!
Beautifully written – so sweet. Welcome
Eli! You are embraced by a loving family.
What a beautiful love letter…don’t we all wish our entry into this complicated world was celebrated in such a way.
Beautiful. Welcome Eli, and concats on your first grandson.
Such a beautiful and memorable love letter for Eli from grandma ❤️.
Oh, I’m so happy he is here! And I’m so happy you live close enough to see him regularly! Congratulations. This piece brought tears to my eyes. What a fine writer Eli’s grandmother is!
XOXO Amy Abbott
What a wonderful welcome into the world for Eli. May he always have that much love and light surrounding him. And yes, “be a helper”. Congratulations to you all.
You are so blessed, Eli, for God has sent you straight from heaven into the loving arms of a wonderful, supportive family. Welcome to the world!
Just lovely. Welcome, Eli, and congratulations to the entire family.