Dear Ariana,

If only you were still here, we’d soon be celebrating your sweet 16th birthday,
I wonder what gift you would have liked? Would you have wanted a new car?
A safe, but new, car to show off? I know, it must be cute too. A gift to proudly display,
No gift would be too high a price. Not even new wheels; you are worth more by far.

You wore pink the day you were born, born still; the day we all planned for you to stay,
You wore pink. Would you like a pink car? I think you would. Please be careful out there,
I’ve decided to get it for you. But please…..drive safe. And before you leave, always pray,
Pray that God would guide and protect you; and always remember sweetie, I deeply care.

You know what I would do for your birthday party? I’d plan you the biggest surprise,
One that you would never see coming; 50 of your best friends and your favorite food,
Would you be embarrassed? Would you cry, Ariana? Would you have tears in your eyes?
I think you’d be shocked and embarrassed. But I know you; you would never be rude.

Your eyes are glued to the driveway; No cake now, right? But wait….. I baked you one,
And I baked you the biggest cake, with pink icing and a picture of your beautiful face,
Ok, enjoy your ride. But you better drive sensibly. Not too fast. Don’t have too much fun,
And no boys. Yes, I say to you, no boys. I will tell you when. Not now. Carry some mace.

Why can’t I plan your birthday, baby girl? Why is this? Sixteen is supposed to be sweet,
A special moment for you and me, when I should be annoying you about your curfew,
Would you have come home on time? I think you would’ve. Time for your birthday treat,
Can I still plan this? Can daddy imagine what it would’ve been like? If only it were true.

But you are ok. More than ok. You are happy beyond words. For you are with the Lord,
Sixteen is sweeter where you are anyway. Daddy can’t make you happy like you are now,
You are with Jesus in fullness of joy; in a place of bliss; a place you will never be bored,
Happy Sweet 16th! You didn’t think daddy would forget, did you? Oh, how could I? How?

No tears for you in heaven. But daddy misses you. Though I know the best is yet to come,
A really sweet day; a day sweeter than any sixteenth birthday party I could ever throw,
A day far greater than any birthday or celebration; oh to think of what we will become!
We will be resurrected. Christ comes! Your body won’t be still anymore. Don’t you know?

* My baby girl, Ariana, was born and died on February 20th, 2002. Her sweet 16th will be here soon.

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