The following was sent by your Auntie G.

Dear LJ,

Full disclosure: When I heard your mama was pregnant I was rooting for a girl! Then, I was told you would be a baby boy, so I had to readjust my thoughts. I thought of the amazing person your papa is, so I was excited to see his “mini-me”… keeping in mind, you’d know how to swim and run through the bushes like your mama. All of that to say: you were our “Baby Boy” and we were proud. [Still are.]

Grandma bought you a $50 teddy bear and walked around the store with it proudly. She was in a bookstore, and she bought you a bear! I had to tell her she must get you a book in a bookstore (duh!). She took 15 minutes to make up her mind. One had too many pictures, not enough story. The other had too many words, not enough pictures. Grandpapa was patient. I rolled my eyes. We got you “Cordoroy”, your aunt’s favourite kiddie book. Where is grandpapa in this story? Paying for everything and being supportive.

The day you decided to fly away I lost my work ID. All I could think was, “What a God-awful day!” When your parents said you weren’t being feisty anymore, I truly realized how awful the day really was. I trust your mama. If you farted in there, she’d know! In medical world, we call her a good historian. I called my papa (your grandpapa) and begged him to pray you back to life. I begged him to please make God bring back Baby Boy (that’s you…). We tried, Nugget, but you were already on your way.

I hurt because the people I love hurt. I don’t worry about you because you have some amazing people up there with you. Just on your papa’s side you have some great grandparents, and great uncles and great auntie. Pro tip 1 – Dada has a donkey, so maybe if he’s up for it, he will take you for a ride. Pro tip 2 – Auntie Rose is the closest to your papa in temperament (big word for personality). Pro tip 3 – Uncle James Jr is your grandmama’s littlest bro; he flew away young, too. Your great grandmas are cool, too. The one we call Margaret is scary-strict, but she is alright.

Like I said, you will be okay. You are okay. Just put in a good word with the Big Boss to look out especially for your mama and papa. I will do my best on my end. I feel incredibly blessed to be your aunt. I love you Boy Baby Lucas.

Auntie G