New Parents

As I sit down to write this post, I have just learned that my friends George and Catherine are on their way to the hospital to deliver their baby. This is such an exciting time! I remember just a little over one year ago when I made the transition to being a parent. It was a wonderful day, despite the pain and all the things my doctors and nurses had to do to make it happen.

My memories of that day are so vivid and I imagine that time will do little to fade them. Nearly as vivid are the memories of the many friends and neighbors that made meals for us, loaned us baby books and gear, and kept an eye on my sleeping Angel so I could make a quick trip to the grocery store.

So, now it's my turn. My friend Catherine's situation is very much like mine: 7,000 miles from home, giving birth to my first child, dealing with cultural norms vastly different than my own and doing all these things in the dead of winter. Today, I'm lining up friends to cook dinners and passing along visitation wishes. This is truly "paying it forward."

You can't ever repay the favors given to you by others during this special time when you're too busy becoming a parent to feed yourself. You can only honor the cycle and make the transition easier for the next new mom you encounter.

Catherine and George - Good Luck and enjoy every hair-raising moment!

Mothers who came to my aid last year - Thanks. I'm thinking of each of you today and thanking God for putting you in my life when I needed you.