Some unexpected surprises bring with them unforeseen blessings of peace, comfort and joy.

For the long-term, getting Jessica in a good groove and making things work smoothly at her new school was so very important for my future and hers. Almost two years ago, having found myself in a working environment that did not value me or my family life, I had made the decision to resign. Before leaving, I made contact with some people I had previously worked with and lined up some immediate temporary work and a verbal commitment for a permanent position.

Although I was to be unemployed for a period of time, it was going to enable me to be available to help Jess transition into the new class at school. She needed help to feel more secure in her new school environment.

Actually, having some time off felt very right for many reasons, and not just for getting Jess settled.

Let me backtrack for a moment… 

Sometimes the most unexpected things happen that touch so many lives in such a good way. Jessica’s existence has been an example of exactly that. The impact of her joy, happiness, caring and unconditional love for others is immeasurable.  

In the midst of all that was going on in my life, another one of those really unexpected things happened to our family. When I say ‘our family’ I mean the whole gang. We are a close-knit family, and many of us live in close enough proximity to spend holidays, special occasions, and even some vacations together. Those occasions are all very special to me. I am eternally grateful for that closeness.

A couple of years ago, I was perpetually exhausted from hospital work and also in the midst of my ongoing Jessica drama. I had not been able to spend as much time with my family as I would have liked. But, even though I was often distracted and my life seemed chaotic, I detected something was amiss with my sister. We had always been close, and she just did not seem herself.

Her life was fairly chaotic as well. She was busy with two 13-year-olds and an 8-year-old (at three different schools) and a full-time job. After a couple of weeks of me wondering what might be up, she called and asked me to come over to talk. This most definitely piqued my curiosity. I went over, we talked, and I learned her news.

Sometime in the next few weeks, my parents went to my sister’s house for her birthday dinner. My mother made a statement about the youngest of her own children turning 41, and referenced that they had all of the grandchildren they were going to have. There were 8 grandchildren aged 8 to 27.

My sister’s response to Mama was, “Well, about that…” She then told them her very unexpected and surprising news that they were indeed going to have another grandbaby. That announcement was about 6 months prior to me leaving my job.

By the time I had resigned, my sister was six weeks away from her due date. My time turned out to be a true blessing in disguise. I was able to be available to help with the curveballs that were thrown at my sister. Together, we made it through the shock, the gestational diabetes, the early labor; and three weeks later, we ended up with this most precious and beautiful gift. I wouldn’t have traded that time off from work for anything.

What a blessing this precious baby has been in all of our lives, bringing with him a new peace and harmony that had been missing for a while for many of us.

His siblings had been very happy and excited as they anticipated the baby’s arrival. At first, scared of the tininess of him, his brothers and sister have fallen in love with him and find him to be an adorable plaything.   

For my Hannah, he has brought a purpose and healing that she needed after her own serious health issues. She considers herself very lucky to get to spend her days being his Nanny.

For me personally, it’s hard to describe. I was fortunate enough to get to attend the prenatal doctors visits and be a coach during delivery (and even cut the cord!) I love him so much. At 47, it seems more like he’s my own grandbaby. I am so grateful to get to love him and have him in my life.

He brought with him this new joy into our lives just when we all needed it the most.

SHORTLINK:  http://wp.me/p5DUsf-Km