A time to be born

Today was a happy day -- it was time for my new niece to be born! My "middle liddle brother", Mike, and his wife Melanie have been staying with us for a few months between his MBA graduation and the start of his new job in Charlotte this summer, so that she could deliver their first baby here in familiar territory. It has been really nice having them around, and when I first learned that the baby was due in May I was hoping to still be around to welcome her into our family. (And I was -- hooray!)

The name of this tiny, beautiful little girl has yet to be determined. My son came with me to the hospital to see his new cousin, and he was in awe at the sight of such a new little person.

This event reminds me that for each of us there is a time to be born, a time to live, and a time to die. It took a long time for me to be a mom, and I think it is because my children needed to come at a certain time and in a certain way. Before then, it just wasn't going to happen. But when the time was right, the miracles occurred. Likewise, there were times during Melanie's pregnancy when she had cause for concern, but thankfully it was this little girl's time to be born, and she was able to overcome every obstacle.

I think the other end of life is similar. I always remember the scene in Forrest Gump, when he confronts his mother, who is dying. Forrest asks her why she is dying, and she responds very simply, "It's my time. It's just my time." I think that as long as I need to be here, I will continue to enjoy each new day and (thanks to the many prayers on my behalf) I also get to enjoy each accompanying miracle. And when it is my time to die, I don't think even the best of medical advancements will keep me here. (We'll certainly try, but even miracles are subject to God's will and design.)

As for today, it's my time to live and enjoy my niece's time to be born. It is time to enjoy seeing my brother and sister-in-law go through this exciting new chapter in their life together. It is time to watch my son marvel at the miracle of life, and to remember how we felt the day he was born. It is a time to remember that all things happen in their proper time and season, in accordance with a loving plan.