Today’s the day! Today is December 7, 2023, the due date for my daughter. However, it seems that she wants to be a late baby. There’s no sign that she’s ready to come into the world today. So, we wait…
I think a good reminder for today is the advice to “live in the moment.” This is another of my mom’s values. What I want to remind myself is while the next couple of weeks are likely going to be challenging and exhausting, they are also a gift. It’s a treasure to witness the miracle of new life and to watch her figure out the world. I have a habit of wishing time would speed up during unknown and uncomfortable situations. But what I am challenging myself to do is to be present, be calm, and be still in the coming days. When I feel the pull to pine for calmer days, I want to recognize those feelings and instead of dismissing them, I want to engage with them.
It’s not realistic to think that I won’t have these feelings. But it’s perfectly within my control to acknowledge them and to reframe them. I want to extend grace to myself, patience to my wife, and understanding to my daughter. That reminder will serve me well when it’s 2 AM, I haven’t slept, the house is a mess and the baby is hungry. Live in the moment. Find the joy in the chaos. Don’t long for tomorrow when today is the present.
So long for now.
-Felix