Early Autumn

A crispness has come to the morning air, and though fall hasn't officially arrived, Autumn has, in all her splendor.  Only 11 months ago my dear friend Ruth said goodbye to her stillborn babe, little Rhys, who passed away at full term while she was in labor with him.  In the time since, we have all been strengthened and awed by her grace as she tenderly grieved.  Shortly after Rhys left this world, another little being came to occupy that same womb, and just two weeks ago Autumn Faith was born.  She came earlier than planned, surprising us all, but none more than her mama.  She was a perfect 6 pounds 7 ounces.  I got to hold her, and I felt like she might just slip right through the crack between my arm and my chest.  When my children were that size, they were 7 month fetuses!  Oh, she is so itty bitty and sweet.

Ruth has been so amazing and brave through out all of this.  It was not an easy pregnancy as she learned to live with the loss of her baby boy, then learned she would soon have a baby girl.  She has been an example of patience and true faith.  And now her waiting is over, her little girl is here safe and sound, and perhaps now, there is some portion of her heart that can rest.

A new mother's heart is tender.  It is an open wound, a bubbling spring, a nest.  How much more so is true for Ruth, who holds such a precious harvest in her hungry arms.

Early Autumn.  Early Thanksgiving.

Just minutes old.  Welcome to the world, little one. 

It just became a much better place! 

 

Oh, my gosh, don't you just want to gobble her up?  As my mother used to say:

"Please pass the baby!"