Francis Thrives to Become




A newborn has become family. Francis arrived a few days after the day he was expected and decided to start his entrance during a raging snow storm in New 
York, in the Hudson Valley. My daughter, Liz, and her partner, Josef, saw several vehicles in the ditch as they carefully made it through the storm to their hospital.

The pure joy of soft, warm snuggles with Francis can’t be seen as a value on the stock market to rise and fall. To me it hit the ceiling and won’t ever fall. I can’t think of any tactile electricity as pure and simple as my little grandson’s face near mine as I rock him in the chair his grandma and grandpa brought specially for his arrival.



You might be thinking millions and millions of babies have been born and it’s common. An everyday occurrence. Not even very notable. You might say it’s like tiny ripples of water in a stream swerving smoothly around little rocks on the way to the Hudson River.  


Wrong. The trumpets sounded, the birds sang. The sky faltered between winter and spring and lit up with a glow of warmth. New hope and distinction entered this world. Unlimited possibilities exploded with this new life.



I write with tears of love. I have a heart full of pride for his mother and father. I see their gentleness with Francis and their hearts bursting with love and patience for his adjustments. When I look around I notice all their preparedness for this new human in their lives, physically and emotionally.


I feel wiser being with Francis. I've had two children of my own. I can share the details I remember from the births I went through, yes. I even have an instinctual feel when I hold him in my arms like, “I’ve done this before.” But Francis is unique. 



He’s already shown me, “I’m not what you will ever expect.” And he’s right. My past experience can help, but Francis has new ways of being. He's his own person. My strength will be to listen and watch


It feels easy to compare him to Liz and how she started out as an infant. But it’s not necessary or realistic. He isn’t Liz or Josef. He is who he is and who he will become day in and day out. The hands and hearts of his parents, family and significant others will guide and nurture him as he thrives to become. To be.



Please take a bit of time to welcome him. Close your eyes with gratitude and send love his way. 






  

 






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