Butch's Blog for 12/16

[Butch Ritter]

Waiting.

 

Do you remember waiting for a birth, maybe your first child? All the planning and preparation gets done. A room is prepared. Diapers, clothes, toys and classes are purchased. You were ready for the birth.

 

Then, it happens. A rush to the hospital. A birth. And you were not ready, nowhere near ready to be a parent. After years of dreaming and months of knowing your dream is coming true, suddenly you are holding your child, your infant who is totally dependent on you. You know, somewhere deep inside, you know you are not ready.

 

The baby changes everything. Ready or not, here he/she comes!

 

Funny. The Christmas story never mentions the fear Mary and Joseph have about being parents. Never mentions what it's like to give birth in a manger. Never mentions how alone each feels while holding their baby. Never mentions the worry about the next meal, the next night. Ignore the strangers milling around. Where are our families, our friends?

 

O God, help...

 

 

Butch