Counting the days (and the contractions)

My sister is in early labor as we speak. She has been having contractions since Friday. They slowly stopped altogether on Saturday, but I received word last night that they returned with a vengeance. I know this may not sound like something you'd want to happen to you, but when you are as ready as my sister is to have this baby, contractions returning are welcome guests.

This is their 2nd daughter of which we're anticipating the arrival; her older sister is 18 months old. I love watching her with Gardner; it will be fun and entertaining to see her as a big sister at last.

All of this reminds me of the last final days before my own labor progressed into "the real thing." For nine months, you think that day will never arrive. Then when it does, you suddenly find you are NOT as prepared as you'd thought you were, and panic sets in. I recall well that my first contractions were felt at the wedding of some good friends of ours. Sitting there, I could not believe I was having these pains. It just couldn't be. My due date was still six days away....no way! It's not real. I was innocent and oblivious to reality.

And like labor pains that arrive a few days (or weeks) before they're truly expected, life's surprises roll to us much in the same manner. We think we know it all, we are all planned and have our options laid out. Then an unexpected appointment arrives, or phone call, or something we knew would happen in the future finds itself suddenly at our door. No time to think, just act. We arm ourselves with God's strength and press on towards the challenge.

I have since become more proactive in making sure I don't "assume" anything will or will not happen. I am not as closed-minded as far as what I expect to happen each day. It is not easy for such a planner as myself, yet it's necessary in order to make it sanely through this thing called life.

Hopefully that darling baby girl will arrive within the next 24 hours. I hope so for my sister's sake! The minute she does arrive, all of the past weekend's stresses and uncomfortableness will immediately vanish from Emily's memories. Babies are funny like that. :0)

Oh, and tonight we are entertaining the famous Tom Conlon here at the house. We are tres excited.

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