My darling Elysia,

I love you more than anything in this world. I have always been so proud of you, and my greatest regret is not living to see you grow up into the beautiful young woman I know you have become. I hope that you have remained cheerful and strong, and found strength in your mother, and your memories of me. Your mother and you were always my strength, what drove me in life, and I hope dearly that you have learned to feed off of that same joy that I felt. I have seen much pain, my love, but with you by my side, no amount of sadness could hold me down.

I can remember watching your face as I held you, wondering how a simple man such as I brought such a beautiful child into this world. You were always so soothed when I raised my arms so that your head lay against my heart. With each beat, your eyes would slowly fall closed, until you fell to sleep. Your mother and I found this so adorable, and many times, the sight brought tears to my eyes. You and your mother made me into such a softy, you know.

And so, my dear Elysia, my heart may no longer be beating, and I may not be able to hold you in my arms, but I hope that somewhere within you those nights still remain. Those quiet nights where I sat with your mother, you in my arms, were the best of my life, and I know that nothing could ever possess me to forget them. With those memories to aid me, I rose each day determined to accomplish all that I could in my life. I have always wanted to do my best for you, so that one day you will hear my stories and be as proud of having me for a father as I am of having you for my daughter.

You and your mother are my happiness. Please do not ever forget that. No matter how many years I am gone, or whatever else I may have experienced in my life, my purpose has always been with you. I do not want to be remembered for anything but my family, because your mother and you are the women who made me who I am.

Take this to heart, and never doubt yourself. I will not be there to soothe you when you are hurt or comfort you when you are sad, but please, listen to my words now. You have a wonderful mother who is there for you, and though I am not with you in flesh, I will always be there in spirit. Take strength in this. Accomplish all that you wish to. You may not succeed in the measure that you hoped, but there is no failure in prevention beyond your control.

I did everything I could to make you happy, from the moment I heard that I was to be blessed with a child. I did everything I could to set up a joyous life for you, to give you all the love that you needed, to make sure you knew how unbelievably proud I was. But if you feel I have failed you, I am sorry. I am so sorry, and I hope that you will find a way to forgive me.

And someday, perhaps we will meet again. But if we do not, then believe that I have never left you. My family was my strength, and you, my purpose for living, for fighting death until I was no longer able to fight. I love you, and I always will.

Your doting father,

Maes Hughes