Belle Kathleen
My daughter arrived on Monday! Seriously, probably the greatest moment of my life. I have had some awesome encounters with God, spent some amazing moments with my wife, and can tell lots of memorable stories about my friends, but the moment she was born its like God blessed me in a way that is truly unexplainable. I wasn't thinking about how I was going to pay for her college education or what sport she is going to play if she chooses to play sports. I have been guilty on many occasions of thinking too far into the future. Not this time though, the focus was in the moment. I wasn't thinking about the 2 1/2 years it took for my wife to get pregnant or the difficulties of a 9 month pregnancy. I have been guilty on many occasions of reminising and missing what is right in front of me. Not this time though, the focus was in the moment.
For 21 hours, my wonderful wife was in pain and desperately wanted to deliver this child. The failure of progression led to an emergency c-section. To be honest my focus that whole day was not on the baby it was on my wife. She was in so much pain. I was so proud of her and I was also begging God to lessen the pain on her. I was even more worried about the c-section when the time came. As I sat behind a curtain peaking as the surgeons work on Amanda, I was fearful for my daughter and wife because of the great difficulty they had getting her out. Very quickly this small alien-like body emerged from huddle of surgeons. She was quickly transported to a nearby table and I stared waiting to know what to feel. Then it happened, a beautiful cry! The tears began to flow from my eyes as in that moment I felt God holding my hand and saying: "I love you like you love her." No more definitions were needed or instructions. Instead my wife and I shed tears and then I had the awesome priveledge to hold her. I did not yet think of her as my daughter, but more like the greatest gift ever given. I whispered some secrets between me and her, then we both sat and waited for mama to get done.
I will cherish that moment forever, but even better is that every time I see her I am again in the present and happily enjoying the kiss of God.
