My worst nightmare. Dear Mrs. Finley, we regret to inform you... I didn't get past the first sentence before tears blured my vision. Daniel was been killed in the line of duty. Family and friends come by and comfort my family, and I stay strong for my children, but I'm heartbroken. My other half is gone.
Just a week after I heard the news of Daniel's death, I got another unexpected piece of news--but this time it's good. I'm just about two months pregnant. I burst into bittersweet tears, feeling that this child is a blessing but also knowing that his/her father will never get to see him/her.
I stayed strong, refusing to let myself go in the direction of depression. I love my children fiercely and would never let myself put anything before them, even if it was my own feelings. About seven months after I found out about my pregnancy, I gave birth to a seemingly healthy baby. As you held my newborn close, crying with joy and with sorrow that Daniel couldn't be there, the doctors checked the baby's vitals. He is crying like a normal baby, and opening his eyes, but something seemed different.
After a further examination it appears that the baby was born blind. I felt awful, as if it was my fault for not having a safer pregnancy, though the doctors assured me there was nothing I could have done about it. It had something to do with genetics, and then I remembered one of my uncles was born blind. I still love the baby to the moon and back regardless, and my other children do too, though they became fiercely protective of him, as I suspect they will be for the rest of their lives. It warmed my heart to see how much the siblings love each other--that they really appreciate those they have because they know how quickly someone can be gone, even at their young ages.
The Finley Family:
DBF: Daniel Augustus(KIA)
DGF: Georgia Alice
DD: Ava Sofia
DS: Elliot Josiah
DS: William Alexander