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I was on my way to the office when I noticed that the lady who is walking in front of me is holding a baby with a harelip. The bad thing about it is that it was apparent that the cleft has infection. It looked to me like it had been operated on but just got infected.

My heart readily went out to the baby and the lady. I hesitated about moving on to where my office is located. I wanted to stop and talk to the lady, to ask her how she’s feeling about her baby and how she’s holding up. I wanted to know how she is and to learn about her experience. And yet I knew she would have thought me weird if I did just that. She might think I’m crazy or something.

Looking back now, I’m thinking, perhaps not. She might thank me even for the concern I’m showing. She’ll probably even appreciate having another soul to unburden her woes and worries to. But I have no way of knowing that for certain now. Because I did not act on my impulse. I paid more attention to what other people might say, etc, etc. That and on the fact that I was already late for work. And while I was thinking that, I also thought that maybe the lady was also in a hurry for some appointment herself and might just think me a bother…

But really, all I wanted then was to reach out and to tell her that here is someone who somewhat understands what she might be going through… Someone who feels for her… I understand because I’m a mother too…

For several days now, I’m having a lot of insights while I am spending some time with Baby. At one time I noted how happy it makes me feel every time Baby smiles back at me or every time I notices how he delights in every little discovery he has or little thing that catches his fancy.

It dawned on me that perhaps God is like that also – happy upon seeing us happy and that there must be nothing more important to Him than to make us happy. It occurred to me that considering how God feels more than we do, the way I feel for my son must be nothing compared to how He feels for us. So He must truly be ecstatic every time He sees us being happy or even by simply being content with the blessings He is bestowing upon us. This thought sobered me up for a while. It made me resolve to strive to keep that joyful countenance and sense of well-being despite some difficulties I might be undergoing because it will be one way of making my God happy.

Yesterday, Baby was quite in a playful mood when I arrived home from the office. He’s so full of energy these days despite being sick and all. We were both in bed – me resting from having accomplished a lot at work and him playing like a whirlwind, being at one part of the bed to the next.

At one time, he wriggled from my grasp to get off the bed, feet first unto the floor. That wasn’t the first time he did that so I wasn’t surprised anymore. Though, I still feel that brush of pride in noting how intelligent he seemed since he certainly maneuvered his way off the bed very carefully making sure that he goes down feet first and was so careful until his two feet are firmly planted onto the floor. He was on his own the whole time. I was just right where he is, quite ready to catch him should he fall, but quite beyond his reach also.

I tested Baby's sense of confidence. I repeatedly pointed out to him that his Nanay is not holding him at all and that he is on his own. He showed hesitation several times but mirth is more pronounced on his face than any hint of fear. Did I say fear? There was none at all hehehe

I watched in consternation as Baby gleefully held on to the bed sheet (luckily we had on at this time the slip-on type or he would have had the bed unclothed and fell on the floor) as he made his way through the whole full length of the bed. That’s what he did, slowly, he took tentative steps one over the other as he held on so firmly on the bed sheet. There were several times when he would hold out his other hand to me, as if urging me to hold him, assist him. I watched amused every time he would attempt to sit with one hand still holding on to the bed sheet. Obviously, he is fearful about falling but was getting tired already.

What’s really nice about the whole thing was that he was smiling the whole time. Every step he takes successfully, his face would light up as if he was pleased with himself. It seemed to me that he is very delighted with every learning he’s getting. He was definitely learning how to walk on his own. He continued with his antics until he reached his set of drawers that’s just beside the bed that house his shorts and nappies. That was when he showed double the mirth when he started pulling at the drawers. Ah, it was a heavenly moment. Looking back, I certainly feel privileged to have witnessed all that. Truly, parenthood has more of its share of rewards than “sacrifices.” If one would think about it.

When I finally laid him down to bed (against his will since he was still attempting to jump of the bed, this time head first huh!), I thought about how God must delight in us also every time we get to learn the set of lessons He intended for us to learn – this time, much more profound than just learning how to walk. These are lessons that are intended at teaching us to fly – be the best that we can be. These are the lessons that would help us achieve our full potential. I asked Him under my breath then what lesson is it I’m not getting until now? And whether does He still have the patience to wait for me and stand by me ready to catch me when I fall. I’m sure He does because unlike us mere mortals, His patience and love for us know no bounds.

Ah, at least this is one lesson I’ve learned a long time ago. It’s hard not to learn this early on. Specially when I see and feel His love sustaining me everyday even if there are times I do not acknowledge this at all. Thank you Father God, for everything. And now, for the gift of my son and the million delights being a wife and parenthood had bestowed upon me. I’ve already told You this before but I’ll never tire telling You again and again – you have painted such a wonderful tapestry for me – my life – all its hues whether dark or light are designed so perfectly that not only once have I felt so blessed to be alive. And, so loved by You.