A Bedtime Story

Once there was a doll named Angelo. A mother saw this doll among many others, but chose him to be her little girls first baby doll. But the little girl rarely played with the doll. And he lay in the cradle. Then the mother had another little girl. Again she presented Angelo to the second little girl. But this little girl rarely played with the doll. And he lay in the cradle. Then the mother had a son. She thought that a boy would not want a doll. But the mother was wrong. The little boy loved Angelo and slept with him every night for many years. Angelo now lay on the boy's bed. Another little girl came along, but she had her own doll. And then, another little boy was born to this family. When the baby was just learning to sit, the big brother came to his mother one night and said, "I would like Jack to have Angelo". This surprised the mother, for she knew how special the doll was to her son. The mother could never have imagined that the very next day her son would go to Heaven. She remembered her son's wish and tonight, as she tucked Jack into bed, Jack said to his mother, "Where's my baby that my Ben gave me?" And the mother smiled and cried.

Happy Birthday, my Benny

Dear Ben,

We had Mass said for you today at St. Matt's. I shed a few tears, for I miss you so dearly. There are days that seem like it has been too long since you went to meet our Heavenly Father, just as there are moments that I expect you to come galloping into the room and flash me that sweet smile. At this moment, know that if I could, I would take you in my arms and hold you so tight.

It is snowing as I am writing to you, dear Ben! Can you believe it? Tomorrow, we are going to the Great Wolf Lodge to have some warm weather fun to celebrate your birthday. I know you would love it and that is why we are going.

Oh, Ben, there is so much in my heart that I want to tell you, but words fail me. I love you and I am so proud to have had the privilege of being your mother.

Love,

Mom