A new voice was added to the world stage. You may not have heard her, but I did. Her message is clear, simple, and direct. I can say without hesitation that no one who sees her will come away unaffected. Sophia is that powerful. Her very presence changes things. Think I’m kidding? I’m not. It’s simple.
Ever been in the presence of a new born baby? Yours, a grand child, or just a new born? It’s different isn’t it? The absolute promise, the potential, the beauty, the breath of a new born is beyond all knowing. It simply is. It is as real gets and is a unique experience.
You’ve probably figured it out. My first grandchild was born yesterday and I’m thrilled. Yes, even in the face of George Bush and the assorted cast of idiots, bums, devils and evil incarnates, I’m happy. Happy for my son and daughter-in-law. Happy that one more human has been added to the over populated globe. Just as anyone would be. It’s more than a special moment and it’s more than a new life. It’s a statement that despite all there is hope, there is possibility, there is purpose and reason to life.
We know so much but we know so little. We fight our personal battles, we win or lose our political wars, we mature (or not) as individuals, we marry, divorce and live as we will. Bring a newborn into any room though and watch what happens. There is a peacefulness, a stillness, a presence that pulls us. It is different from any other experience we’ve had.
I remember a passage from “Mary Poppins Returns” (paraphrased). Yes, Mary Poppins, stop thinking and just read…A new born has entered the household. Mary is taking her to the nursery and the baby is babbling on about being beyond the sand and stars of time, the light beams of life and other assorted nonesence. Two birds are by an open window. They happen to be an uncle and nephew bird. The nephew, upon hearing the newborn remarks excitededly, “She remembers, she remembers where she comes from.” The uncle replies, “She’ll forget, they all do.” A week later, the birds are back and the newborn is prattling about the carriage ride in the park, what her brother had for lunch and other mundane things. The little bird is disappointed at the baby’s immersion in the world of things. The uncle comforts him and they prepare to leave. Just then, the baby says, “Wait, I remembered.” The birds turn with hope and an expectant air fills the room. Baby announces, “Michael saved part of his cookie for you.”
Always liked that passage. Not because it reminds us how much part of the world we all are but because it reminds us we do come from somewhere and there is reason to be here. I have one more reason to be here today. A reason to fight the good fight, a reason to celebrate life, a reason to place that flower in the gun, a reason to never retreat and to take my responsibilities seriously.
I hope this diary is not too far off the mark for here and I’ll post something more ‘concrete’ later…or maybe this is the concrete one?
PS. I’m not looking for congrats and all that. I wrote this to celebrate and remember.
