Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.
beagle47, months, or perhaps years ago, wrote a lovely entry for a child born to some friends. Hopefully Beagle won�t mind if I borrow his words for a moment (giving proper credit where it is so very due) because his wishes for that infant child are exactly what I would wish for my own little grandson. And who could say it better than one of my most favorite writers in the world (and I have been deliriously happy you decided to resurrect � and unlock � yourself, even if you do continue to disappear from time to time).
Dear God (yada, yada, yada, re: doubts)
Frankly, God, if you're reading, I don't feel much like believing in you after everything recently. (Oh, right, you're God, you already knew that). But tonight, in hopes that you take into consideration that this little one is brand new and hasn't yet had a chance to form opinions, I ask that you hear a prayer for my infant grandson and his family.
Take care of that little boy. Let him see everything and reserve judgment. Let him reach but, more importantly, feel with every fiber of his being, the highest heights of life, appreciating them without knowing the deepest valleys. Watch over him if you really do those kinds of things and show mercy upon his parents, especially during the terrible twos. And the teen years. And, ok, spring breaks.
No physical maladies, no hunger, especially no starvation, good grades, decent looks (but not too good, eh? let's keep him honest...) and a giving heart to the extent that it does not come at his own expense. Let him follow his heart wherever it leads (preferably avoiding sales, the insurance industry or teaching at for-profit trade schools).
Invest him with a tender spirit and a brilliant mind. Mostly, may he receive more than he ever dreams but give more than he ever receives by his own will � not that of grubby little greedy hands.
Oh, and one last thing, how 'bout he cures cancer?
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