I will start with a tangent! I sit writing this blog entry on a Saturday morning as a respite from a night of getting up and down with Lil' Bean. We are trying to put her to bed earlier. Her demeanor after dinner tells she is now ready for the early bedtime as the screams of a growing infant have been replaced with the whines of a tired girl. That does not mean she is not resisting! The new routine will probably account for a few more unsettled nights. I will enjoy the solitude of my early morning, while Ry snuggles in with Daddy a little longer.
I was inspired by a mommy friend to write this entry. You can check out her blog Switz-Art. She is one of several positive and supportive new friends in my life.
I don't believe in coincidence. I also don't believe people join "mommy" or "baby" programs for the latest baby research (although that can be a perk). The Public Health programs I joined, I did so to meet people on the same boat as me. With time, I have learned that others have done the same.
I am grateful for these new friends. We definitely are birds of a feather, but that doesn't mean we are of the same species. Some are peacocks. Some are birds of prey. Some are song birds. Some are penguins. I say this generally, for those of you wondering, as I have not actually assigned a bird type to each of my friends or myself. Although, at our next get together a good conversation might include answering the question what bird are you most like and why? :)
Some cloth diaper. Some use a crib while others bed-share. Some breastfeed. Some bottle-feed with formula. Some bottle-feed with breastmilk. Some have girls others have boys. Some have circumcised, some have not. Some listen to metal, some to classical, others to both! Our differences don't divide us, but unite us in our goal: to raise happy and healthy families.
Many of us also have people in our lives who don't understand our family choices or go so far as to criticize our family choices. I fully appreciated having support for my choices from friends who may in fact have chosen something different for their family. Likewise, I enjoy being able to support them in their choices that are different from mine. The instant approval and acceptance from these friends make it easy to ask for advice when it is needed and our differences allow for a spectrum of ideas!
It is no coincidence that each of these friends have crossed my path. Although the future may bring unexpected turns in our lives, I am glad we can share the road for a season, if not, hopefully, longer.
Bible Reflections:
Galatians 3:28-29 (The Message)
In Christ's Family
28-29In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.
-Jesus did not judge first and then love. He loved first and reserved judgment. Being a part of His family grants us equality. So too must we love others as equals and without judgment.
