To Ailsa, With Love

I creep in to your room
you are sleeping
finally.
We spent the day at the hospital
again.
Another day,
and another,
and another
where you watch your sister struggle to breathe.
She is improving,
finally.
You can see this.
You know she has turned a corner.
And so you relax,
finally.
Your face is sweet and so innocent.
You are so young.
You are a child.
Sometimes, we forget.

You love Zoe so much.
So much.
And she loves you so much.
So much.
You listen to her recorded snores on the computer.
It's the only thing that soothes you to sleep.
You miss your big sister.
You need your big sister.
It doesn't mater to you how "disabled" she is.
All you see is the amazing sister who is there for you.
She listens.
She plays.
She laughs.
And she loves.
You are her sister and you love her so fiercely.
She loves you with all her heart.
Always.
And you know this.
This is why it hurts.
This is why you cry when we left the hospital earlier today.
This is why you listen to this recording,
again and again.

We love you so much.
You are so important to us.
We see your needs
and your pain
and your hopes
and your fears.
We are here with you.
And we love you.
Always.