Baby Basa

Hi Nurse Kelly!

It’s me. Basa Ellison. Your favorite!

I’m going home today. I’m excited about it. Apparently that’s where all the toys are. And an endless supply of milk. But I’ll miss you, like, a lot. I think you’re my first friend!

Thank you for being the nurse in the NICU that steadied my parents. That offered joy when they needed it, compassion when they deserved it, and strength when they weren’t even there to see it. They said you’re a good influence and I can hang out with you whenever I want. They also said you’re exactly like my father’s mom, and that maybe through meeting you, I was introduced to her. That’s cool!

By the way, what do you think you’ll miss most about me? My funny facial expressions? My long toes? Maybe how sweet I am? I couldn’t decide.

I told my parents that I don’t drink coffee, but they got you a Peet’s gift card anyway. I’m willing to try it. So let’s not say goodbye forever today, ok? As you tall people say, let’s grab a coffee sometime?

Thank you, with all my heart. I know my heart is still little, but it’s also very big.

Yours,
Basa Ellison

p.s. Here’s a picture of me that you can look at all the time:

p.p.s. Will you tell all my other tall friends — Debbie, Dr. Akula, Irma, Mina, Heather, Heather, Dina, Ms. Emma, Jamie, Joanne, Terry and the whole team — as well as my little NICU friends, especially Hope and all the premies, that I said bye and that they’re the best and that we’re all going to be ok?

You can share my picture with them so they can also look at it all day.