Despite the craziness in the world...

important and good things continue to happen.  

     Our youngest son Mike and our favorite (only) daughter-in-law Adrienne messaged us late Saturday night to let us know that yep, she was in labor.  Things apparently got pretty intense soon after that, with the usual discussion points, such as "YOU DID THIS TO ME!!  I HATE YOU!!  AAAAGH!!"

     A good epidural helped the perspective of all of the participants, and at about 3:45 AM, Emma Margaret Henderson slipped into the world, weighing only six and a half pounds and equipped with feet that come close to qualifying as water skis. 

     Paula and I got the message when we woke up on Sunday morning, so we zipped up a suitcase and headed north on I-95.  I grew up just outside of DC, and I am convinced that one of the inner circles of Hades was designed by copying the roads and traffic around that city, and I have no desire to inhabit either place.  

     By the time we arrived at Christiana Hospital between Newark and Wilmington, Delaware, all was calm and the three were resting quietly.  Paula's abundant and kind Grandmother character was quickly apparent.

     For some thirty years this whole giving-birth process was a major part of my occupation, and being around it again brought a few things back to mind, but it's different on this side.  Now, I get to enjoy the more tender aspects, and leave all that medical stuff to the young medical folks.  

     Emma's five-year-old sister Kate was over the moon the next day when she met her little sister for the first time.

     Meanwhile, life at Mike and Adrienne's house has gone wacko, as usual with a brand-new kid.  Paula has been helping a lot, using her Grandmother-multitasking super powers and trying to let Adrienne rest as much as possible.  

     She's been cooking, provisioning and keeping things in order.  That includes playing numerous rounds of Chutes and Ladders with Kate (by the way, the kid cheats prolifically) and card matching games (again, don't take your eyes off the board).

     I've been trying to help out also, though my efforts pale by comparison.

     Any of you that have had a newborn in the house know how everything gets knocked out of kilter, and folks have to get rest when they can.  Mike and Elsie grabbed a quick, uh, cat nap,

while Emma and her mom relaxed for a bit.

     As I said, despite the worrisome stuff surrounding us all, life continues.  Whatever your philosophy or your 'belief tradition.' or whatever, the echoes of eternity are apparent in this event.  We welcome Emma, and together with everyone who preceded her here, we wish her well as she begins this adventure.  

Dave & Paula