new baby

Today I thought of the many new mothers in this ward. This has been quite a season for new babies and it is not over yet. There is nothing quite as wonderful as a new baby. I know, because today I welcomed the 24th baby into my family. Five children and now 19 grandchildren. I never get over the thrill of it. I remember when my first one was born. I shared a room with a mother who had just had her 7th boy. But she was so excited. Every bit as excited as I was with my first. I wondered how this could be. I thought by now surely a new baby would be "old hat", especially a 7th boy! She cooed over him, relishing every little detail of his tiny and perfect body. I really didn't understand until more of my own babies began to come. And for some reason, each one seemed to be more of a miracle. Today, as I cooed over this beautiful and perfect little newborn, I was filled with such joy! It never gets old, but rather gets better and better! The absolute miracle of it escapes me, but the gift of life and family once again burrows into my soul. It is one more evidence of the genius of the Lord -- mothers, fathers, children -- blended into a family. What a plan!