carolhorton.com

a place where you can be you...

Another Great Beginning

Photo by Dean Ward on Unsplash

Every year, I’m awed by the cycle of life: the newness of spring, the fullness of summer, the beauty of autumn, and the quiet of winter.

We’re on the edge of spring once again.  The soft greens of new beginnings, birth and rebirth. The abundance of life is about to be all around us: crocuses pushing up through what’s left of the snow, the daffodils, the scent of lilacs drifting through the air. 

Trees budding, getting ready to grow their new crowns.  Birds nesting in anticipation of new life, creating a safe haven for all those sweet little chirping beaks.

The earth is fresh and new once more.

Spring inspires me to appreciate life-all life.

Especially babies.

My great-nephew and his girlfriend are expecting, and the baby is due in May. He would be my parent’s first great-great-grandchild. He comes from a long line of firsts.

My oldest brother was my parent’s first child. His daughter, my niece, was my parent’s first grandchild. Her son, my great-nephew, was my parents first great-grandchild, and now his son, little Griffin, will be their first great-great-grandchild.

I wish my parents were here to enjoy this most precious moment, this continuation of the cycle that is life, this carrying-on of the family they created. They would be so thrilled.

Babies bring with them both hope and possibilities: hope for the future, and so many possibilities of who they may become.

They also bring us new possibilities of who we may become.

They give us another chance to live wide open, to love without hesitation, to pass down our history: the songs that were sung to us as children, the food we ate, the path that we and our ancestors took to get here, the love that we all share.

I’ve always been amazed at the miracle that is life, never more-so than watching a baby learn and grow. The older I get, the more amazing and joyful that has become.

It’s our responsibility to make sure our children know they are loved and taken care of, that their needs are met. Then we teach them as much as we can about how to get on in this world. If we pay close attention, though, we find that there is so much they can teach us.

Having most recently been in the presence of God, they are full of love and innocence and goodness. They arrive totally vulnerable. They have no prejudices. They have no pretensions. And they teach us that we are capable of a love so great it eclipses everything else.

New life is on its way. Breathe in the enchanting fragrance of spring. Feast your eyes on the lavish display of blossoms. Hear the gentle rain washing away the winter.

Open your arms wide and embrace life.

Join our community

Subscribe to get our latest content by email.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Kit

10 Replies

  1. Sarah

    I’m not crying… well, maybe a little. This is beautiful in so many ways. I choose to believe that Mema and Papa are loving on Griffin already and that he will know them in his heart and will see them in his dreams. Although he will be born into a crazy world, I have faith that the love he is surrounded with will be more powerful than anything else. He will know love, he will know comfort and safety, he will know he can fail then get back up and conquer his goal. He is a blessing in the purest form.

    1. carol

      Absolutely! Baby Griffin already has the poop on everyone in heaven but by the time he can talk, it’ll just be an inkling of a feeling! He’s going to know great love, there are good-hearted people all over his world. And I too believe that the love we receive outweighs all the other stuff. Aren’t we a lucky family!

  2. Luke

    Wonderful essay on the start of new growth and babies.

    1. carol

      Thanks Luke, I appreciate that!

  3. Susan Manry

    Yes ma’am new life abounds everywhere this time of the year. It is my favorite time of the year to see new life burst forth in nature and in humans. My god children, who already have a 9 year old, twins almost 3 are expecting a 4th child, Teagan, in just 2 weeks. We are all excited about this new life about to enter this new world which is exploding with new life herself. Take care my friend. Enjoy your Spring. For me, it is time for renewal and some healing of my own heart, body and mind too. Love you girl.

    1. carol

      Two weeks? That’s awesome! Babies are the best. I wish your God-children, the new baby, all the siblings, and indeed all the family and friends joy and happiness. Enjoy that little blessing! Enjoy your spring! Love you, too!

  4. Jim

    “Having most recently been in the presence of God, they are full of love and innocence and goodness. They arrive totally vulnerable. They have no prejudices. They have no pretensions. And they teach us that we are capable of a love so great it eclipses everything else.” That my dear friend, is a revelation as to purity and awesomeness of our creator, and these babies are a reflection of Him.
    Thanks Carol, I’m amazed how God allows you to see & pick up on the things most of us just don’t slow down to see.

    1. carol

      Jim, Thank you for that.

      I believe that seeing life from a different perspective is the gift I got from our Father when I was born.

      I also believe that it is the purpose of every human being on earth to be themselves, not who they think others want them to be, so they can discover and use the gift(s) they were given to help each other get through this life so we can all go on to the next life.

      Of course, that’s in a perfect world and we all know this world isn’t perfect. But that shouldn’t keep us from trying.

      I appreciate you sharing that with me. I love you and Denise and miss you both. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

  5. Lou

    The other morning I was woke up by a barrage of little tiny bird squawks outside my window. After a minute or two of this noise I heard a much louder squawk then the world fell silent again. I laughed to myself as I pictured a nest full of babies squawking for their breakfast. And the mama bird yelling back, “it’s too early, go back to sleep”!

    1. carol

      That sounds like me on Saturday morning with the grandkids! I’ve started buying them a danish to devour to hold them over until I get up!

Leave a Reply