Explosions of Love

I've always said that I'm not a kid person. People usually don't know how to respond to that and end up saying something like "Yeah right. That's why you have 4 kids." Depending on the time, place and person, I might expand upon my statement. Those who knew me as a teen are undoubtedly remembering that my dad was (and still is) a children's pastor. They are most likely also contemplating all the babysitting I've done.

Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike children! On the contrary, I actually think they are pretty amazing. I just always feel a little out of my element. I'm not exactly sure what they're thinking or how I should be relating to them. Toddlers especially used to scare me. They look at you with those big silent eyes and Don't Say Anything. I figured they were looking into my very soul and didn't like what they saw. Frightening thought.

It amazed me, then, when I had my own children, how much I loved them. I admit that I was a little worried. What a relief to feel the explosive awe, wonder, admiration, love and protectiveness (is that a word?) when each of my wonderful blessings were entrusted to me.

I figured that this feeling would be confined to my children. I figured that having my own children had opened up my understanding towards other children, and that was all I could expect. I figured that four incredible heart expansions and bursts of love were more than I deserved or could reasonably expect.

And then I met Lucy.

Lucy is my first biological niece (I have an adopted niece that I love very much--she's a fabulous little girl!). Lucy was born on Monday the 20th. She is amazing. Whether it is because I got to meet her when she was so new and close to heaven, or whether it is the biological factor I'm not sure...People say that being a grandparent is even more fabulous--I'll just have to take their word for it, because this auntie thing is pretty amazing.

Introducing Lucy Noel: