Reasons to smile

Well, the excitement never ceases. I have two reasons to smile today, and here they are in order of importance (least to most). First, I mentioned my newfound interest in weblogging to an acquaintance (whom I hope to upgrade to "friend") and she responded with a deluge of information, websites, ideas, and actual code. Turns out she's an expert on such things. And she's just taught me how to include links in my text, a MAJOR boost to my capabilities. So now I know two experts!

The other smile happened early this morning, 6:30 am to be exact. I was still mostly asleep, and had slept quite well. It was cold outside, and I was warm inside, which are wonderful conditions as far as I'm concerned. My head was deep in my pillow and the quilt was up to my ears. I dimly heard the phone ring.

The phone in our bedroom doesn't work, but the answering machine does, so if we are sitting up there we generally just listen to people talk and then go downstairs to call them back. Well, the voice on the phone came from 620 miles away to proudly tell me that Ethan Lee was born just 10 1/2 hours earlier, and that mom, son, and presumably father were healthy and happy.

I remember smiling broadly, and snuggling deeper into the pillow before drifting off again. I knew that there would be time to call later, that Mark wouldn't mind me not jumping out onto a cold floor at 6:30 to say congratulations. I had no worries; the sound of his voice said all was well. Better than well. Perfect.

But I couldn't remember exactly why I smiled until later.

I smiled because Dora was safe and the baby was here and my friend is happy.

I smiled because I have two of my own, and I love them.

I smiled because miracles like this can (and do) take place every day, and no matter how often it happens, it's still a miracle.

I smiled because it was cold outside and I was warm inside, and my wife was next to me, and my children were sleeping, and my best friend was happier than he's ever been in his life, and for just one solitary moment, every single thing was absolutely perfect.


Welcome to the world, Ethan. Have a nice stay.