Out Pour of Love

With only days (or possibly hours) away from my second daughter being born, I've been on an emotional ride these days.  24 hours can hardly go by without me tearing up.  And I'm sure that will only get worse, but in a good way....

The cries have been because I've been experiencing a surprising out pour of love and support from those around me.  I use the word 'surprising' because many of these gestures, gifts and offerings have come from people who hardly know me or haven't known me very long.  The love has come from my co-workers and my neighbors and the friends I've made in the last two years.

You see I've lived away from my parents and extended family for five years now.  I've not had relatives to count on when it comes to help for my daughter or looking after our pet or checking on our house.  I've made new friends and met wonderful people with each new move and each new state/city we've come to inhibit.  Pensacola has been no different.  In fact, I'm starting to think that it's my favorite place I've lived in my whole life.  Not for the beach and not for the family fun it offers either.  But for the people who live here, work here and who have reached out to me in such loving, tender ways.

In the past week, my co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower.  I came home with over a dozen gifts for my baby girl, several for my four-year old Vivian and even a few special items for me.   My home owner's association met for their regular quarterly meeting and voted to give my family a $50 gift card.  They said that they wanted to thank me for helping them and being a part of their 'welcome committee'.   I've had friends call, text or write to me checking on me every few days to see how I'm feeling and progressing.  

Like I said, it's just been a wonderful out pour of love.  And this is all without using Facebook and other online sites  I used to frequent.  I actually gave those up in January of this year with no regrets (so far).  In addition, this out pour has not come from my blood lines of aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings who I hardly see anymore (some not for months or years at a time).   They have their own lives after all.   

I guess in a strange way, my neighbors, friends and co-workers have become my extended family.  They have become the support system that I didn't know I had, wanted or needed.  Only recently have I come to see how much they care.   I feel honored and lucky in so many ways. 

As I know my baby's birth is very soon, I feel happy and have a restored faith in the world she is coming into.  I know first hand that good, fine people exist here on earth.  Instead of focusing on the negative politics, world disasters and the tough economy that we're facing, I keep thinking of all the love my Lana Jane is being born into.  The kind goodness and love that will be there for her as she takes her first breath until she takes her last one.  The love just from her own two parents and older sister are enough to sustain her for a lifetime.  And now we have all these extended 'family' members and friends who will love her too.  We all cannot wait to meet her! 

As cliche as it may sound, "I feel the love."  And I think deep down that "love is all you need."

In my next post (whenever that may be), I will be showing off beautiful second daughter, Lana Jane after she arrives.  I can't wait!  Tears of joy will be flowing very soon and may everyone feel an out pour of this love....