New beginnings make me think of this quote. All that is worth cherishing begins in the heart. ~Suzanne Chapin
Did you ever find yourself riddled with emotions you’re unable to fully process?
Lately I’ve been battling such a feeling, and it’s taken me a few days to completely figure out and understand their underlying meaning.
For the last week, my sister-in-law and her three month old son have been visiting from Colorado – occupying the spare bedrooms in my house, and the empty spaces inside my heart.
Though my wife and I have no children of our own, I have been thoroughly enjoying our little visitor. I think much of the credit goes to his mother, for allowing my wife and I to truly bond with her new son – even helping him through his first cold, which sadly came about the day after he arrived.
Sometimes at work, I find myself thinking about holding him, kissing the top of his soft little head or how he smiles at me when I babble about nothing in particular.
But why this surprising adoration? I’ve discovered there are two reasons for this onset of emotions.
For starters, my 92 year old grandmother’s life is coming to a close. It’s a thoroughly depressing reality – especially given the immeasurable impact she’s had on my life. And regardless of how old she might be, the thought of her departing this world still brings tears to my eyes.
The other factor is that the relationship with my own family has become, well, difficult to maintain over the last few years – as prides and egos have oftentimes blinded us from seeing what is truly important in life.
This little baby boy, so sweet and innocent and dependent on others for just about everything in life, has started to fill a place inside that each passing day has made me forget was empty.
My wife single handedly does an amazing job as the keeper of my heart, but sometimes the loss of family can only be filled by a feeling of family – and that is what this recent visit has done for me.
As our little nephew begins his journey, he’s reminded me that new beginnings happen all the time and that it’s never too late to fill your heart with whatever it might be missing. I thank him and his mother for providing me with this invaluable gift, even for a short time.
George Eliot once remarked, “What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.”
