my wife and i went to see our new granddaughter for the first time this past week. it was immediately apparent that her parents were filled with joy and pride. they both glowed with the experience of being first-time parents. we caught their enthusiasm as soon as we saw the little bundle of life they had created. to us, she was the most perfect child that ever has been. she was alert, with eyes that opened wide as she looked lovingly at her mother. she cried very little as she was passed to her grandmother, and she quickly became calm as she peered into her grandmother's face.
as my wife sat down with her in a swivel chair, the tiny baby made soft cooing sounds. when the chair began to rock slowly from side to side, she fell asleep in her grandmother's arms and slept there for well over an hour. when lunchtime came, she was transferred to a small pillow that lay on the couch, where she continued to sleep as the four of us ate and talked. we marveled that she slept so soundly despite the noises we were making.
our son and his wife recounted their experiences with her birth and the few days they had spent caring for her. they remarked how they had prepared carefully for the at-home birth with a midwife and her assistant present, but they weren't prepared for the many responsibilities of caring for a newborn. nonetheless, they were delighted to have her and beamed with the love they felt for her. we were reminded of our first days with our two children. i recounted my gratitude that our son had been born during the summer, when i was free of my teaching responsibilities and could be home with my wife and son as a full-time parent. we are glad that both our son and his wife can take time off from work for parental leave, though my son's leave is unpaid and some of the time he will work from home, while his wife's leave is at reduced pay. even that concession was unavailable when my wife and i were in the workforce, so when our daughter was born, my wife's mother came to help us so i could go back to work the day after she was born.
we are happy beyond words that this new life has come into our family. each day, we pray that she will be happy, healthy, and able to life a rich, fulfilling life. may each of us marvel at the miracle of creation. may we see each child as a special gift whose life must be nurtured. may every parent have the resources they need to care for their children. may we as a nation provide the opportunities that each child should have to be happy, caring members of society. shalom.
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