Waiting makes me nervous. I’m not good at it. Maybe it’s a fear of the unknown, or more specificly the fear of the uncontrollable. And yet waiting is a part of life for all of us, including me. We wait in line, we wait for news, we wait for an outcome, we wait for packages in the mail, we wait for results, we wait for the next thing to wait for.

At this time, we are waiting for my grandson. Some time between now and early December, he will arrive and I can’t wait to meet him. Last week, we had a socially distant baby shower for my daughter and her husband. The theme was a movie premier, and Brodee was the star of the show. The shower was held outside and with limited guests as a precaution. Attendees sat in their cars while we served them drinks and snacks, and played games, then they watched my daughter open her gifts for the baby. It was not the shower most people envision, but it was a joyful day nonetheless. It was a sign of the times we live in. At the end of the day, I was happy with the result… we had been able to come together, stay safe, and share in the joy. This virus has limited our freedoms and autonomy for sure, but we will not let it steal our joy. If there’s anything worth celebrating, it is new life and new beginnings. We did just that.

The waiting is the hard part. Our minds fill with “what ifs” and “maybes” and “I wonder”. In the end though, it is out of our control and all is as it should be. I keep reminding myself of that. We have no control over the virus, we have no control over events in the world, and we have no control over Brodee’s debut into our family. What we do have control of are our responses to these things. We can choose to be anxious (and sometimes there is no choice in that either) and fearful, or we can go on with life and find new ways to celebrate, to gather, and to love. The view is different, and yet the same. With a little ingenuity and creativity, we are able to overcome obstacles and to continue living. Isn’t that one of the greatest lessons learned from this past year? That, and the value of those we love and care for are the two biggest takeaways from 2020. We are versatile, we are stronger than we sometimes know, and we are determined.

I know that my daughter’s pregnancy looks different than mine did. I know that Brodee’s world will look different than it did for my daughter or my niece. And even so, love and family remain the constants. We are bound to one another and determined to hold onto tradition and rituals in the face of an undetermined future. Isn’t that always the case though? And we continue. The means may be altered, but we always find the way. With the holidays coming up we will be challenged to find new ways to enjoy each other’s company and make memories together. I have no doubt we will meet that challenge. People always do.

The unchanging truth is that my grandson will be loved and welcomed into our family. He will never have to wonder his place. He will be treasured beyond measure. He is a gift and proof of miracles. I look forward to meeting you Brodee… you will be safe here. You are already loved here.