To The Woman Who Captured Harrison’s Heart,
(I’m sorry for not addressing you properly. You know…I’m dead, so I have no clue what your name is.)
Oh. My. God. I chuckle.
Just from that one sentence, she reminds me so much of Leo.
Sorry, that may have been too morbid.
On a serious note…
Congratulations. You’re marrying my overbearing brother, and I say that in the best way possible. If you’re special enough to gain Harrison’s attention, he will protect, cherish, and love you with all he has for the rest of his life.
I hope you don’t find this letter bizarre. Something in my heart told me I had to write to you.
Believe it or not, this is the second letter I’ve written to anyone.
First Harrison, and now you.
In Harrison’s letter, I told him I trusted his judgment and hoped he’d picked a woman who could be the best role model for my little girl. Who would love her wholeheartedly, like she was their own.
But honestly, as I write this letter, something inside me tells me you’ve already been chosen.
Harrison won’t pick you…the universe has already done so.
Claudina deserves to have a mother figure in her life, and I can’t thank you enough for being there for her when this cruel world will eventually rip me away from her far too soon.
But I’m lucky enough to be left with the gut feeling that you will be all she ever needs. It’s a selfless act to be the mom to someone else’s child. But it was natural for you, wasn’t it?
Since I’ve been sick, I’ve been getting these crazy feelings of insight. Right now, my body is lighting up with warmth, knowing you’re an angel on earth with my baby. Somehow, I feel connected to you, and I have no idea why.
I pick up my head and stare at her memorial through my heavy stream of tears.
I’m right here, Camila…I can feel you, too.
Maybe the connection is through Claudina… If my intuition is correct, by allowing myself to release my role as Claudina’s mom, you have already taken it over.
I will always be her mother but thank you for being her mom. I hope that even when I pass, I willfeel this connection with you, and maybe you’ll feel it with me.
So to my new sister…I love you.
Thank you again for loving Harrison, Claudina, and my brothers. You’re part of the best family in the world now.
Enjoy today, and forget about the minor nuisances. Be in the moment because you never know when it will be taken away from you.
Know that you carry the legacy of love and resilience. In every shared laugh, exchanged vow, and dance tonight, may you feel my presence, a silent witness to the beauty of your union.
All my love,
Camila
With my eyes locked on her memorial, I sit in awe of this beautiful soul. And before I leave, I thank Camila for granting me the greatest gift of all.
Acceptance.
“I’m nervous,” I whisper to Mom, who links her arm with mine.
We’re waiting for the cue for Mom to walk me down the aisle so I can finally marry the man of my dreams.
