love life, little Ethan!

Ethan Henry Haller
on his first day on earth

Dear Ethan,

We didn't know your name until your dad told us on the phone last night,

30 minutes after your birth. Ethan is a Hebrew name meaning

strong and sure. I am sure you shall be just that!

 

Your mama is a get-it-done gal and she didn't waste much time

having you. Start to finish at the hospital was 5 hours!

You were born at 10:46 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2013,

weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 21" long.

Since we're not there with you in person,

tonight we got to see you on our iPad as Daddy nestled

you in his arms. Daddy and Mommy looked a little tired

and you snoozed away, you beautiful boy!

 

Ethan, your birth brings a special sweetness for me.
Though you won't understand this for many years,
my dad is coming to the end of his time on earth.
Joe Lanier Matlock, your great-grandfather, is 88 and very sick.
It is very hard to lose someone you love, so your birth is making this time much easier to bear. Then again, this world is
only one part of life. When we leave it, God has prepared
a beautiful place called heaven for those who love Him.

Ethan, it is my greatest prayer that you not only love life,
but also love and serve God all your life so that
when your time on earth is done, you'll spend eternity with Him ...
the One who made you and brought you to us last night. Wow!

I know that would make your great-granddaddy very happy.
And me, too.
Welcome to this world, Ethan. I love you and can't wait
to be ...
your Baba

There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2