28 November 1831
My Turtledove:
You're a year old today! It feels like it was just yesterday I held you in my arms for the first time and from that moment on I knew I never wanted to let you go. There are far too many things I love about you to name.
I remember every time we would go to the market you'd get so happy when you saw the birds singing. You loved the birds. I was hoping one day when you were older I would surprise you with one, but I doubt I'll get to do that now...
I love how you would giggle and kick your feet every time I made a silly face. I love your laugh, I miss hearing it every single day.
Oh, how you love music too! You'd get so excited when your mother sang to you, all your weeping assuaged in seconds by a single song.
You love flowers, peonies and daisies especially. Gorgeous and delicate flowers for my gorgeous delicate flower...
You love shiny things! You're always grabbing for your mother's necklace, she might find it irritating occasionally but we both know it's adorable. You're also fascinated by my razors, which makes sense to me. They're shiny and beautiful after all, but most of all they were a wedding gift to me from your mother! So they're shiny, beautiful, and symbolic of the love between us, the love that brought you into this world...
I wish I was there with you right now...celebrating with you and your mother. Nellie must've made some dessert for you all to share as you open your gifts. I feel I've missed so much already.
By the time you're able to read this, you'll probably know everything I've listed above. I know it's a tad bit silly of me, but I need to remember these moments with you. I need to cherish them so I'll never forget how I love you so. These memories are all I have keeping me going right now...
I'll see you again, Johanna. I'm sure of it. I'm going to get out of here someday. Mark my words, then we can be together again, as a family. Like it used to be...Happy birthday Jo. Here's to many more years of your life!
With love,
Your father
(Is father too formal? What would you prefer?)
YOU ARE READING
The Letter
Poesía"And in that darkness when I'm blind with what I can't forget..." A series of letters written by the wrongfully imprisoned man who would become "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" addressed to his beloved wife, daughter, and best friend. (Based on th...
