Dear Sylvie,
I’m writing these few lines so you can get to know your son’s wife—the woman who makes him happy. Our story is so wonderful and intense. I wish you could be here with us, looking at your son and telling him how proud you are of him. I wish you could look our daughters in the eyes and admire all the progress they’ve made. I wish you could give me a hug and tell me you’re glad to have me in your lives. I wish you were here to bring together those who are in conflict and to set things right for us.
Your son has just turned twenty without his mom. He doesn’t talk to me about it, but I know it’s hard for him not to have his mother there to help him in this new role—fatherhood. I hope you’re proud of what he’s accomplishing, the successes he’s achieving, and his accomplishments. Can you see the stars in his eyes when he succeeds at something? Love, family, work—he’s thriving and so happy. Always be there for him to pat him on the shoulder and congratulate him.
As for me, I’ll always be by his side to support and stand by him. I’ll listen to him, give him advice, love him—but above all, I’ll be his partner in life. And what’s missing from our wonderful team? My mother-in-law! You’re supposed to spoil our girls, give them lots of cookies before dinner, let them stay up late when they sleep over at your house, and give them lots of kisses on their little noses. But instead, we’re going to present them with a headstone.
Did you know that one thing makes me sad and another makes me happy? I get a lump in my throat when I think about the void our little ones will feel in their lives, but I also smile when I look at Élody’s little face. Why? Because she looks just like her dad, and he looks so much like you! The little one has inherited her grandmother’s looks, and it’s wonderful!
I wanted to ask you to stay close to us and watch over us from your little cloud. Keep watching over your son and his little family. But most of all, I hope you love me and that you’re happy with the woman he’s chosen. I wish I could have just said a simple “Hello!” to you. We’ll make up for it someday. I can’t wait to meet you!