Harper Grace

Last night I finally got to meet the new addition to our family.  Harper Grace.  She was born six weeks ago to my nephew and his fiancee - a wonderful couple that I love very much.  It is no secret to my family and friends that I love babies and I'd looked forward all week to finally getting the chance to meet her.

And what a joy it was!  She's beautiful.  And perfect.  Content.  Happy.  What is it about a new baby that reminds you of the joys of life?  The excitement of looking upon the innocence and curiosity of a newborn.  I held her tiny hands in my large ones and marveled at the beauty of her tiny fingers, wrapped around mine.  I languished in the smell of her babyness - the smell of lotion, Dreft, and baby sleep.  The joy of watching her see the world and all the new people in it.  How great is our God that in one little 9 pound bundle, he could give me a gift that made my heart swell with such love and appreciation of the life we've all been given?  There is something so protective that overwhelms me and makes me want her world to be a blessed one - full of the happiness of childhood and adventures to come.  There will be heartache in her future and I wish that were not so, but I know that with every little heartache will come lessons in love and life.  And that it will continue, through all of her life.  Even when she's 53.

I know that for the next while, when the pressures of life start to overwhelm me, when the fear of the unknown starts to creep in, I'll remember Harper Grace.  The joy and excitement of all that is new will carry me through.  I will remember that no matter what our age, or stage in life, that there is something new to see, to feel, to experience.  Like her, I will try to look at the world as new - as something to learn from.  I will try to focus my eyes differently to see things in a new way.  And to take those lessons and move on. I will remember that each day, is, in it's own right, a rebirth.  A chance to start again.  I will remember all of that thanks to one little 9 pound bundle.  Our little Harper Grace.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.  -  Thoreau