To Abel, who arrived today

Welcome, small one. I looked forward to your coming. Now that you're here, named, having a face and fingers and your ten toes, I wish I was there with you, that I could meet you and hold you and tell your parents how beautiful. Soon, I hope. You are a gift to us. First son of the first son. You don't yet know what you mean to us. But I hope you will. I hope you never doubt it. And I hope you like us.