top of page

Gabriela - 12.08.2024

Sofia's Wish

Sweet Gabriela Cravo & Canela,


I’m writing to you on the day that would have marked 40 weeks of pregnancy. But in such matters— as we know— it’s the babies and/or the doctors who write the rules, such as the day and hour of birth. In your case it was no different, with a planned induced labour at the Alfredo da Costa maternity hospital on the 12th of August at 38 weeks.


The birth, the fastest of all three, unfolded in such a way that we felt like the protagonists of a scene worthy of a film, a mix of drama, action and comedy, in which you were as good as born during a frantic rush on a stretcher down the corridor to the delivery room. Can you imagine, my love?


First, your brother Henrique was born at 17:21, and you followed shortly after at 17:24. Mummy managed to see you in the delivery room, and later, while recovering, I wanted to say goodbye to you again, both me and Daddy.


Everything about you was perfect, despite your trisomy 18 and the passing of almost a month and a half since the moment your heart stopped beating. And how serene your expression was, my Gabi! After all, you always knew how important this moment would be for Mummy, and it could not have been anything other than so.


Cradling you in arms that will never again feel truly full, I still feel the weight of your body imprinted in my embrace, and under my fingers, the memory of every feature of your face and your soft skin, strangely warm to my touch.

I didn’t want my memory to betray me in later years, so I also wanted to take photographs with and of you. I spoke to you again, telling you how much I love you and lamenting that I couldn’t do more for you. I gave you kisses, not just from me, but also from your siblings. Speaking of them, your sister Helena talks about you every day and every day she looks for and finds a sign from you ❤️


Daddy also wanted to hold you, and cradled you just like a living baby. In fact, he was the one who wrapped your body in the blanket that Mummy wanted to buy especially for you and this moment of ours.


After experiencing a period of greater calm from the confirmation that your brother Henrique was well, as well as from our farewell and how it unfolded, I confess I now feel somewhat apathetic, like a mere spectator in my own life. Almost empty, I would even say. Who knows if time, which takes so much away, will also be able to bring a smile to my face when I look back on the moments we shared together?!


They say that grief is like the waves of the sea that come and go, and it truly feels that way…


With a big kiss from Earth to Heaven,

From Mummy, who loves you now and always

13 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


© 2023. Powered and secured bywix

bottom of page