The Countdown is On

The clock is ticking backwards towards the birth of my daughter.  I don't know how much time is left, but it feels like we're getting much closer.  More on that below.

Just a half-hour ago, I watched the end of the movie Rudy.  As I predicted, the end of the movie brought me to tears.  As I told Jeannie a little bit earlier in the movie, it touches me so much to see someone love something so much that he's willing to work as hard as he did to make his dreams come true.  On top of that, it really touches me when all his family and friends are there and you can see the pride in their eyes, the love for him in that moment when they witness his dream coming true.  Even now writing this here, tears are welling up in my eyes.  God hear me!  Please guide me in the direction of my dreams.  Please lead me to something that I love so much that I'm willing to work extra hard to make my dream come true.  Please God, this is something I wrote about in my law school application essay, asking for the tool (i.e. a law degree) to help others.  Now that I have that tool, and experience using it, help me God to take it to the next level.  I sense and know that there is more out there for me to do and ask your guidance to take me there.  And not only that, I want to make my family and friends proud.  I want to be surrounded by people who love me and support me, positive energy.  I pray for that, God.  Please hear my prayer.

Now to the update on the expected arrival of my daughter.  Earlier this morning, her mucus plug broke.  Throughout the day she's been having mild, yet seemingly more and more consistent contractions.  I'm no doctor and I have no experience with this kind of thing, but my instinct tells me that we'll get through tonight, but tomorrow may be a big day.

We went out for walks three times today.  First, we walked to our landlord's house a few blocks away to put some mail in his mailbox.  Second, we walked to Walgreen's on South Street, where Jeannie got some items related to nursing, after which we walked to the ATM for my bank, then turned around to walk home.  Third, we did a circuit in the late afternoon, just to make sure that Jeannie was on her feet and moving for one last time before settling in for the night.

During our first walk, we ran into Bernadette from church, who crossed the street to give us each a hug and chat for a few minutes.  During our second walk, we saw another woman from our church, who waved and talked with us for a minute from across the street, while she was sitting on the front steps to her house.  It was nice to see a couple people we recognized; I like the feeling of community that we're slowly building here.  I hope to God that we continue to play our part in building a community where we live.

Jeannie and I are both excited to meet our little girl.  We hope she comes soon.  We're really looking forward to meeting her.  I know that the feelings I felt while watching Rudy will pale in comparison to the feelings of love when I meet my daughter.  May God bless Jeannie and our daughter, give them the strength to get through what will be the transition to bring our girl to the outside.  And I thank God for all blessings.