This morning at 2 a.m. 10/15/2012, my niece was born.
I’m beside myself!
Is there anything like a newborn?
you drive home from the hospital with both hands on the steering wheel,
accelerating carefully past a ferry loaded with strangers,
past san quentin prison and onto the bridge,
through the softest, warmest fog you have ever seen,
because the sky just cracked like an egg. something new and vital is settling in the world
and you are in love with it all:
bridges, hospitals, commuters, inmates,
the guy in the car behind you and the city in the distance,
peripheral seagulls and the trash in the median, stoic iron, serene ocean,
you love it all like you love a grunting, fussy baby
with fuzzy eyes and rooting lips,
and your face is drenched in bliss
and your arms remember the hot heft of her newness
and you’re trembling with love but catapulting carefully
through the fog that swaddles us all together in fluffy brightness,
tender light reminding us to proceed gently,
invoking the gist of illumination
showing us what it’s all about
girl in the hat 
Gorgeous. Congratulations. There is nothing in this world like a new person and you have described the physical joy of that newness so very very well.
Happy! (I still have my fingers crossed for the 9th, btw.)
Congrats.
Thank you!
Chills. This is beautiful. Congratulations to all of you!
I had no idea being an aunt could feel like this!
I think you’ve managed!
Some subjects can’t help but be sappy, I’m afraid. I love babies!
No, nothing like a newborn. So much joy and hope. Best wishes to all of you.
My god, if they could bottle it, I’d be hooked.
my nephew was born last year so I really understand your words
Delicious babies!
yes yummy but we really shouldn’t nibble
And did you cry when you fist held her?
Gorgeous.
The nurse wheeled her into the room and I started bawling. It was like a spontaneous combustion. Kabooooom. Just one look and I exploded!
Very nice Anna. The best to your new niece and the family.
We’re all still euphoric. Thanks, Wally.
Wow. You can even put babies and clouds into words.
Today, babies and clouds had a lot in common. Thank you!
this is so much better than every, “Congrats on your new bundle of joy” card i’ve ever bought.
(that being said, congrats on your new bundle of joy niece. there is nothing that smells as good as a just washed newborn with the lotion and the new skin and the milky babe’s breath.)
Thank you. I wanted to lean over and huff her, but I didn’t want to scare anyone.
Soon you will have to buy her a big bluffy thing, maybe a stuffed bear or baby elephant.
Did her parents chose a name for her?
I think they’re still puzzling over the name. It is so important, after all.
Aaaaw – yes, nothing more miraculous, more empowering and wondrous than new life. Congratulations to you and your family.
Thank you, Marina!
Mazel tov! You should give her this poem, sealed in an envelope, for her to read when she’s older. It’s gorgeous.
Thanks! Maybe when/if she has her own baby.
More awesomeness!! Congratulations on being an aunt! 🙂 Gotta share this.
Congratulations! There really is nothing better than a brand new healthy baby ….
Yes it is her poem . Congratulations Auntie!
Yippee!!! Congrats to all! I love love love your description. You’ve managed to bottle that particular joy/newness/love/connection to all of LIFE after all with your words. Infectious. No surprise. Felicitations!
Yay Lisa! I’m so glad you joined the party. xoox!
You are making me miss the ferry to Marin…and helping to build the excitement of my pending nephew/niece.
Congrats to you– it is a magical time!