behold

my mom always talks about how sad it is that the one time in your life that everyone is completely obsessed with you, you'll never be able to remember. i think that's pretty sad too. sweet little ava baby is absolutely adored. she literally had people fighting over who got to hold her next or who would get her the next morning to snuggle with in bed.

i've heard some first time parents talk about how they have never known the love of God so well as when they had their first child. like all of the sudden a light bulb of all the ways God lavishes love upon us was turned on. the selflessness, the protectiveness, the divine jealousy, the desire... all directed towards one little undeserving life that just seems so deserving!

maybe the same goes for some first time aunts and uncles. because i can't help but look at ava and well up with tears over how much i want to hold her, keep her safe, give everything i can to her...

anthony de mello said, 'behold the one beholding you and smiling.' ava must have already read this quote, because when you smile at her she gives you the biggest smile in return.

even though she won't remember, i hope ava can feel now how much love is bestowed upon her. my God she's beautiful!