a new bundle

I am blessed to be reminded today of how precious newborns are. I am so grateful for not only having a  close relationship with my brother, but a close relationship with family as a whole. My brother and his wife welcomed their second son in the wee morning hours! I didn't even mind the text waking me up at 2 in the morning. In fact, I expected nothing less. I come from a family that has always been close. We share in each others joys, celebrations, lows, and losses. I have no doubt in my mind that any one of my family members would be there in a heart beat for me if needed, and that goes for my new family too. I think I all to often take for granted how unique this gift is. But with the arrival of Samuel John, God dusted off the window to let me see again the blessings in family. Holding baby Samuel my heart swelled. It swelled with love for this new family member, and pride for my brother, his wife and sons. God is so good. Newborns are perfect. So tiny and warm.  Samuel is perfect.
Sitting in the hospital room surrounded by family and holding Samuel, I couldn't help but daydream into the future! Every time he would make a noise, those sounds only newborns make, Brody would glance over, curious as to what this tiny creature was doing. What the noises meant.  I can't help but picture what it will be like when the little newborn is ours; when we will be blessed with  a sibling for Brody.
It randomly strikes, that realization of family growing. New generations being ushered into this world. What will life hold for them? This babies, our babies, all connected. Growing up with one another, I hope that we pass on the same values that we grew up with. I hope they grow with a yearning to always keep family close. And that all depends on us. Their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Its too easy now-a-days to let social media be the only thing keeping us linked to family. It's up to us to show them it is so worth it to take the time to call, to meet, to have gatherings. To see one another face to face. To hug, and love on. So my homework today, grab a loved one, hug them, hold them close. Give thanks.