Movin' On - Grace

Nine years ago our daughter invited us to the birth of her baby.
So when the phone rings on a Friday evening - "The baby is coming. It's time to gather" - we hit the road - takes 90 minutes.
Jeff greets us. "Nancy's having a bath", he says. "Go on downstairs and make yourselves comfortable." I can tell he's a bit nervous - as usual with dads, not sure where he is going to fit in. But Jeff and Nancy have always wanted to get away from the hospital thing when having babies. Nancy was frustrated there, and could hardly wait to get home.
It's cosy and warm. A huge bed, fresh and white.
Nancy hears us. "I'll be with you in a sec. It won't be long now."
There are 4 older children in this family. The two older children are part of the gathering. The younger two are asleep.
The eldest is Amy and Ben is next. He's quieter than usual, perhaps apprehensive. These things are easy to handle when they're in the future. But now with the time at hand - we are all in new territory. We are all somewhat unnerved, somewhat tentative. Amy is the ultimate greeter, happy to see us and to talk about what's been happening in her life.
Nancy has been in labor for a few hours.
She settles into the big bed, the midwife checks with her often - they are getting along just fine, and we like her air of confidence and cheeriness. Grandpa is restless and disappears upstairs. "Hey Grandpa - are you checking the stock market again on the computer?"
"I'll be right back" he says to me, giving my hand a squeeze.
We move back and forth for awhile, and when Nancy becomes more intent on the job at hand, we settle down throughout the room, on the floor, on the stairs, on the sofa. Although her labor is short - it's not without its share of discomfort and pain - Jeff holds her as she goes through the final struggles.
Suddenly, we see the baby's head - there's a big "Whoo" !!
And then the baby is all there - just like that - it happens that fast - a little girl, lying there on her mummy's tummy, her wee hands close together. Not a cry from her.
The midwife wraps her and puts her close to her Mom. We gather round with lots of talking and tears, hugs and handshakes. It's over and it's just the way her Mom and Dad wanted it to be. Nancy is radiant now and relieved, laughing in delight, holding her little one close as she hugs her children. The third child Susie has awoken and made her way downstairs to find a new baby sister there! She's all smiles and can't keep her eyes off this new baby. Amy is completely overwhelmed. "I don't want to ever have a baby" she laughs. Ben? You know, I have to admit that I haven't caught up to that one yet. Some day perhaps -.
Meanwhile the babe sleeps in her mother's arms. We all hang over her and pull the blankets apart and peer and peek and stare and touch her soft face. "Look at her! How perfect is that!"
Grace. Her name is Grace Elizabeth.
She's nine years old today. Happy birthday, Grace, Happy Birthday.