Circle of Life

Tonight was everything that I expected and it was nothing that I expected, and there's no way I can digest it all now, never mind explain it. I'm far too tired and I've stared at my computer so much today that my eyesight is blurry (at least, I hope that's why... urgh, shut up stupid mind...). Anyways, I had to write, if only shortly, because today was a very special day. 

Tonight after work, as I sat in a folding chair next to Julia's bed enjoying dinner with her family, I heard several text messages ding onto my phone. I didn't want to be rude, but I lept for it to see if Seamus had any news to deliver (no pun intended) about the birth of his son. 

This morning, Brianne and Seamus checked into the hospital so that Brianne could be induced (her blood pressure had gotten dangerously high). I usually turn the ringer off on my cell phone while I'm at work but today I put the volume up to the highest setting. 

Finally, at 7:30pm, I got the news ... James Joseph Mehigan had been born -- checking in at 7lbs, 10oz. and measuring 20 inches long. I saw a picture. He's perfect. 

When I told Julia's family the news, we all erupted in cheers. I shared the photo of Brianne holding James with Julia and she loved it. She rubbed the screen of my phone as if she could touch the baby through it. She beamed. It was awesome. 

Julia's husband loves to take photos and we spent most of the evening watching, and laughing at, a never-ending slideshow of fabulous photos he had taken of the family throughout the years. He had even added the photos we took on our trip to Castle Island back in October. I always knew Julia was beautiful, but in these photos, she was stunning. When her daughter explained, "That was when my mom was healthy," my heart ached. 

Julia's husband insisted on taking photos of me and Julia, and Julia's family was happy for me to share these: 

Julia, her children, me, and her niece. 

Tonight, I couldn't help but realize an incredible juxtaposition of the different parts of my day -- uncontrollable tears of sadness (tinged with anger); pure elation at new life. I'm exhausted, although given that my best friend just birthed a baby, maybe I should keep quiet about that. 

Especially when I'm tired, though, I like to turn to other people's words for comfort. So tonight, I've ended up at the following lyrics. When I sing them, I feel like an idiot because somehow a Disney movie with a talking warthog doesn't do justice to the depth of the day. Still, I like these words, for many different reasons. I especially like the "Through despair and hope; Through faith and love," part. Those words start to touch the significance of March 27, 2013. 

Welcome, James Joseph. I know that there is more to see than can ever be seen but I really look forward to being there while you look around. Oh, and one more thing -- tonight, a tiny Vietnamese woman in Dorchester is praying for you. She is wishing you a happy and healthy life, and so am I. 

"Circle of Life"

The Lion King

From the day we arrive on the planet
And, blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

It's The Circle of Life

And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life