Shining Light

---

She is as beautiful as her name, and perfect in every way. “Nora” means shining light in its Greek, Hebrew and Arabic origins. Witnessing the joy she brought when she arrived home from the hospital last night, I got the feeling that she will always be a ray of light, hope and happiness to her extended family, and to the world. That’s my hope!

Big brother Caleb was beside himself with anticipation before her arrival, practicing with us how to hold her just right, correcting me when I showed him how to form a cradle with my arms (my fingers were in the wrong position, he told me). He learned from his Granna how to be calm around Nora and how to kiss her gently, practicing repeatedly on Granna’s cheek. When the time arrived, he did it all just right, beaming with pride, and ready to love this new little baby sister who will be part of his life forever.

---

---

---

---

With a newborn baby around, it is impossible for any other human to be self-centered, even for a 3 year-old. It was interesting to watch last night as Caleb left the spotlight for the first time, willingly. I’m sure there will be times in coming months when he will realize that he no longer has that undivided attention he has enjoyed from his extended family for his entire short life. Some adjustments will have to be made! But last night, as soon as he saw his new baby sister, you could instantly see those basic human instincts take over…love, protection, caring, sharing. He made sure to show her his little dump truck and Matchbox cars as he carefully held her in his cradled arms, and he went and found a small stuffed bunny rabbit for Nora, just like the one he has, but smaller.

My heart was full last night as I watched Nora and all those around her. I remembered when Fawn and I brought our own babies home from the hospital. I remembered the arrivals of our other three grandkids, Margo, Nolan and Caleb. I thought about how difficult it can sometimes be to bring a child into this world. I thought about all the struggles, dilemmas and tough decisions Angela and Jack have had to make with this pregnancy. But then all those thoughts of past difficulties faded away, as the basic human instinct of hope flooded my heart. After all, babies are hope – for Moms and Dads, for Grandys and Grannas, for our families, and for our troubled world. Thanks God, for this miracle in our lives!

As the great prophet Winnie the Pooh once said, sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart. Welcome to the world, Nora!