It was my great luck to be invited to a baby shower. The woman who sent out the evites said that she could tell when I opened mine, which was while she was still sending them to other people on the list. I clicked yes, and she had her first RSVP. What her computer could not tell her was that I walked into my sewing room and started cutting blocks for a baby quilt. I don't really understand digital messages, but I am comfortable with fabric. 

The theme was bunnies, and there were wool felted ones playing on the refreshment table. They exercised great restraint from nibbling the carrots on a platter of vegetables I might add. There were chocolate rabbits in tiny paper nests, and bunny cookies which were delectable. I may have had more than my share. Some of the gifts were books about rabbits, with illustrations that made me want to pause my conversations and just read them. There were bunnies on tiny clothes, and on a sweet flannel quilt. One woman knitted a family of rabbits, with the baby being a blended color of his mama and papa. The collection of gifts addressed everything a newborn will need, even if he cannot predict them. When the party was over we went home with gift bags that held sweet bunny bookmarks and a bunny shaped soap. What could be more dear?

I will tell you. 

There were babies. Sometimes they were in their mother's arms, or nursing, or being cuddled by a teenage girl. Other times the sweet babes lay on a quilt on the floor, practicing important things like crawling, or tasting wooden toys. Unbeknownst to them, the cherubs made us smile. Their presence was a blessing to everyone in the room, simply by being there. The gathering of women anticipated and met their every need, as if it was their joy to do so. Because it was. 

I marveled at the celebration in the room, with all the hours of preparation. A small sweater with hand dyed wool and wee white buttons, a baby blanket with chunky wool as soft as butter were the fruits of many afternoons bent over needles. All of this converged because a new baby is coming. He is loved long before any of us can see his wispy hair or smell his sweetness after a bath. 

I thought about what it will be like when a new person is expected in heaven. Word will spread from some mysterious method, and angels will get things ready. They will gather everything the newcomer will need to be comfortable, and warm, as if it is their joy to do so. 

Because it is. 

"Angels wish for nothing more than to have new angel guests come to them." Heaven and Hell 71, Emanuel Swedenborg