Tantalizing aromas were in the air; the many dishes were on the card table, the kitchen counter, and even on the top of the computer cabinet! Drinks were poured, candles were lit, and all of us had gathered to sing a hymn and offer a prayer of Thanksgiving.
Then the phone rang.
Who could it be? On any other Thanksgiving afternoon, we would have had no idea. But this one was different. After all, we had been on Baby Watch for quite a few days. I hoped that my guess was right this time, because every. single. time. the phone had rung for a month or more, I had thought, This could be the news.
Who could it be? On any other Thanksgiving afternoon, we would have had no idea. But this one was different. After all, we had been on Baby Watch for quite a few days. I hoped that my guess was right this time, because every. single. time. the phone had rung for a month or more, I had thought, This could be the news.
I answered, pushed the "speaker phone" button, and—joy of joys!—heard my son's voice on the other end of the line, across the many miles. All the faces in the room lit up as he told us that Sarah had been admitted to the hospital and that this could be The Day!
After the call, we sang "For the Beauty of the Earth" and these words...
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
...held special meaning to me as we sang them.
We ate our wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, talked, cleaned up, talked, ate dessert, and talked some more...all the while, our far-away family was never far from our minds. But as the hours went on, there was no more news, and then a text from Ryan to Brian said that they would probably be going back home. Sigh.
Late on Thanksgiving night—actually it was after midnight, so technically it was Friday here—the phone rang again. I grabbed it and, again, it was Ryan's voice. Assuming they were back at home, we made small talk for a minute or two. I asked him what they were doing, and he said, "Just hanging out with our new son."
Peter Ryan had arrived on Thanksgiving Day after all! He was 9 pounds, 2 ounces (a big little boy!) and was 21 and ¾ inches long (will he be tall like his daddy?), and, most importantly, Mama and Baby are healthy and happy!
Peter Ryan had arrived on Thanksgiving Day after all! He was 9 pounds, 2 ounces (a big little boy!) and was 21 and ¾ inches long (will he be tall like his daddy?), and, most importantly, Mama and Baby are healthy and happy!
Ryan with his new son
Big sisters Eve and Nora in awe of their newborn brotherWe have so much to be thankful for, not the least of which is our most special Thanksgiving blessing, Peter Ryan!
Indeed we sing, Lord of all, to Thee we raise,This our hymn of grateful praise!
Aww so sweet! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHe is so precious! Congratulations Grandma!
ReplyDelete:-)
Congrats! What a wonderful blessing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Cheryl to everyone! What a wonderful Thanksgiving Blessings, and your post tells of your thankfulness. I love the photo of your three grandchildren together. Thant little fella is going to have lots of love.
ReplyDeleteHUgs, Sue
Precious photos...congrats on the newest blessing!
ReplyDeleteOh Cheryl, I'm just now seeing this posting. It's hard to believe your Newest Little Joy is now more than a week old! My heart rejoiced with you as I read how you were sitting around the Thanksgiving table and received that phone call from Ryan ... and then it sank with you as I read that you were told they may have to go back home ... and then it rejoiced with you again when you received another call that was THE CALL. Congratulations to everyone! Peter Ryan is a beautiful baby, and these photos are precious beyond words. Hugs to all of you.
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