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| Heather, Mikayla, and Me at her Birthday Party!!! |
To: Mikayla Yopp Honeycutt
From: Dad
May 1, 2013
Dear Mikayla,
First and foremost, I want you to know that you were always wanted. From the very moment we found out your mother was pregnant with you, we wanted to bring you into this world and give you life without question. Your journey into this life did not come without its share of challenges, as you were diagnosed in the womb with something called Dandy Walker Syndrome in January 2013. This led you to have a brain malformation on the ultrasound, and excess fluid in your brain. This can present many complications including developmental & physical delays, and a shunt was placed in your brain on your second day of existence to help drain fluid from your brain to your abdomen. Your first week of birth was the happiest and scariest of my life. As I write you this letter, it is my hope, sincerest wish, and steadfast prayer that you will be able to read and comprehend this letter someday. If not, I make a promise to you that I will find other ways to share and show you my love in a way you can understand.
I want you to always know that your mother and I chose LIFE. Your mother and I hold very strong convictions about the right to life, and that life begins at conception. I have always considered myself Pro-Life, and my convictions were certainly put to the test when we found out about your Dandy Walker. However, we always wanted to have you and give you your best chance at life. I have to admit to you that I do not often speak out about my convictions, because I tend to avoid conflict. Yes, your dad is not perfect as I am sure you are already most aware. In our society the choice of abortion is often portrayed to me as “not my choice” or “not my body”, in particular because I am a man. This is true, but I believe that all of our bodies belong to God anyways, so this argument falls short in my view. I can understand why someone would choose to abort a life but it is very difficult for me to fathom as I saw you for the first time, held you for the first time, and the first time you wrapped your little fingers around my pinky finger. How could anyone choose to end something so precious, and such a gift?
The other thing you have taught me in your first weeks of life is the power of prayer. We and so many others have been praying for you ever since you were birthed by (doctor name) at (hospital name). We had you baptized by (priest name) that very day with holy “sterile” water, before you had brain surgery the next day to put in a shunt by your neurosurgeon (name). Through prayer and faith we continue to see you get better, and hopefully by the time you read this you won’t even know any different. You are MIKAYLA. A name that means “gift from God”, and a combination of your grandparents on your mom’s side of your grandfather’s first name Michael and your grandmother’s maiden name Kay. Remember prayer in your life when times get tough, as this is how you were born into this world. Remember your name, and where you came from.
I realize that I am not and never will be the perfect father, and I will make my fair share of mistakes. Just know that it wasn’t without the best of intentions, and that from the day you were born I always want the best for you. I hope to give you this letter when you are old enough to understand it, and truly appreciate its contents. I love you Mikayla Yopp Honeycutt, and I always will.
Sincerely,
Graham Fletcher
Honeycutt
Your Daddy
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