Most of my reflective moments nowadays are a little shallow. When I wander off into thought, the thoughts usually focus on functional things like making dinner, answering an email, or walking the dog. Then there are the bigger picture, future thoughts that are still shallow: whether I'll own a single bit of clothing that will fit after the baby arrives, whether he'll cry a lot, how tired I'll be. Occasionally, though, I think about something really worth thinking about.
Last night while I was writing some thank-you cards for the lovely baby gifts we've received, I was utterly overwhelmed by a sense of awareness that Tom, the baby, and I are completely surrounded by people who love us. Being pregnant has given me an interesting reason to contact friends I hadn't spoken to in years -- and catching up with them, most of whom have families of their own, is amazing. Family who live far and wide have repeatedly gone out of their way to let us know we're in their thoughts and prayers. New friends, who have become as close as family, care for us as though we've known each other our whole lives. Right now these precious connections make me feel loved and supported, not to mention incredibly grateful for the people with whom I get to share this life's journey. My sense of excitement is even greater for meeting our child when I think of how much he's loved even before he arrives.