Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Thoughts of the Baby Prince

We who live in the United States are so far removed from the world of the United Kingdom, of England, of the celebrations in the streets over a baby few of the countrymen will ever be privileged to see - more or less, hold in loving arms.  And yet, on the world news, the world around this monarchy stopped when the news came that Prince William and Princess Kate had a baby boy, finally.

"A Prince is Born!" the headlines shout.

Millions of champagne bottles were purchased.  Visitors filled neighborhood pubs to toast in the arrival.  People took off from work to stand in front of the hospital where the 8-pound-6-ounce baby boy burst forth from his mother's body into the awaiting universe.

I sat and watched momentarily awed at the semblance of honor and prestige - much as I had done two years ago.  Funny that two years ago, when this baby's parents wed in a ceremony witnessed round the world with much fanfare, I sat much as I did when their son entered the world.  Awed and aching with love for a relationship, for a family to be built.

And then I had the thought this morning after: this baby boy had been anticipated by his parents and the world.  I wondered if everyone wondered about this child that had been carried for over half a year, who he would be and the lives he would touch and if he would ever be king one day.  If nothing else, he was born into a royal lineage and that would be enough.  He was a born prince, loved by a whole nation and a monarchy.

My thoughts turned to my own child to be or already being carried in my womb and most certainly in my heart.  Who would this child be?  Would the world he was destined to be born into be ultimately glad regarding his arrival?  Would he like a prince in a Kingdom, be a world-changer?  Who was this child to be?

As his mother, I already know he is meant to be great or else he would never have come this way.  Just as Prince William and Princess Kate took precious time with their son, the baby prince, my husband and I will be honored to love him and raise him and prepare him for a world that needs him one day.

Another thought crossed my mind, as I considered the thousands of other children sharing the baby prince's birthday but not his lineage.  A whole nation celebrated the arrival of the British baby born into a long-standing monarchy.  But who celebrated when these others were born?  Who cheered and toasted and kissed the cheeks of others at the thought of their arrivals?  Who loved them?

And finally, it occurred to me that this is the response that every baby deserves to have.  Every child deserves to have his or her presence heralded and appreciated.  But this is not always the case.  If it were, there would be no need for me to be an advocate for so many.  I wonder, though, if we have the chance every day to love children like a whole nation today loves a baby prince today.

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