The Wonder of Life

Life is nothing short of amazing. If you’re reading this, you must be alive. Think about that for a moment. The breath in your lungs, the beating of your heart, the thoughts racing through your brain. They are all part of an extraordinary gift. And the interconnected Earth that sustains life is just as astonishing. The plants that provide oxygen and food, the diverse animals, the cycle of evaporation and rainfall that provides fresh water, and the Sun that provides energy to it all. It’s overwhelming to stop and think about.

But if you’re like me, you’ve probably gotten used to being alive and you tend to lose sight of the wonder. Well, nothing can bring you back to that sense of wonder like the birth of a child.

My daughter was pregnant for nine months. I watched, and helped, her and my son-in-law nest and prepare. We painted, moved furniture, swapped rooms around, and celebrated baby showers in two different states. I saw the ultrasound pictures, followed the app as the baby grew from the size of a pea to a carrot to a potato, and a myriad of other fruits and vegetables along the way. And I watched my daughter’s belly grow bigger and bigger, clear evidence of the life growing inside her. Yet with all that evidence, the miracle of birth remains awe-inspiring. When all four grandparents walked into the hospital room together we saw two weary and proud parents and a brand-new life – our granddaughter. It was astonishing, amazing, and beautiful. Our babies with their baby. An emotional, special moment that I will always cherish.

The wonder of life only begins with birth. Growth and change happen so fast. Our granddaughter is two weeks old now. She is plumper and longer. She is holding her eyes open more, studying the world around her. And her little squeaky noises have already changed. She and I have been reading Dr. Seuss and singing Jimmy Buffett songs together, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

And the wonder of life isn’t just for the baby. Watching our daughter and son-in-law become parents has been every bit as amazing. Each day they grow a little more confident, a little more relaxed, and a little more themselves as Mom and Dad. They are establishing a wonderful family and I’m just pleased and proud to be a part of it.

This morning I was running on the rail-trail near our home. As I ran along I could see a group of people up ahead. As I got closer I could make out four adult figures and a stroller. And as I drew up to them it was apparent that this was a set of parents and grandparents and a baby not much older than my granddaughter. I stopped and told them how familiar the scene looked, that we had been on a similar walk very recently. We shared our awe at new life and congratulations were offered all around. Another beautiful moment of shared experience and appreciation of life.

I am thrilled beyond belief to be a grandfather. My granddaughter is the cutest, smartest, and most special human that has ever lived.  I intend to be as obnoxious about that as my grandparents were with me and my parents have been with their grandkids.

But don’t wait for a new child to be reminded of the wonder of life. Life is a gift. You are a miracle. Pause and appreciate the wonder of your life and your interconnectedness with the life all around you. The birds. The trees. The people you love. The people who love you.

Breathe in, breathe out, enjoy the life around you in this moment, and be grateful.