in waiting

I am here in Bloomington, Indiana waiting expectantly for the arrival of our fourth grandson. The due date was three days ago, but of course it could be any time or many days from now--who knows? My daughter is as patient as one can be under the circumstances, and we have entertained ourselves this week by baking bread, favorite meals and sundry other goodies. Skype has been key for staying in touch with family and friends, with the nephews and nieces calling to say, "Any news yet?"
The labor and birth of my first child, this daughter, took place as the first signs of spring appeared. It was a classic fourteen hours, resulting a baby who weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces with her pert nose pushed sideways. I was a week late so I clearly remember keeping my feet up due to severe edema, watching soap operas to pass the time (to this day I cannot watch soap operas), and keenly wishing the clock to hurry, only to have it slow almost to a standstill.
The whole childbirth thing is a prime example of really having no control of timing or process--it is all a mysterious and wondrous event that are witness to and invited to participate in. Being knit together in a mother's womb is about God's handiwork, a gift that he bestows on us. It's worth the wait.