On the Day You Were Born

When my babies were born, we were given this book.  It immediately became my favorite, and as soon as they could talk, The Bird and Augie asked us to read it to them every day.  They actually asked us to read hundreds of books every day; "Hello comb, hello brush...."  It was a rare day that I could get through reading this one to them that I didn't choke up a bit, and that was just the way it was.

And now?  In the 10 or so days since they have become college graduates, and have set their sights on their next steps, all I can think about is this book.  And how we did, indeed, sing when they came to this Earth.  And to us.  And I still get teary.

The gift of all gifts; they are my heart.  I am so very honored that they came through me. And this spinning world is all theirs.

On the day you were born
the moon pulled on the ocean below,
and, wave by wave,
a rising tide washed the beaches clean
for your footprints...
...while far out at sea
clouds swelled with water drops,
sailed to shore on a wind,
and rained you a welcome
across the Earth's green lands.

On the day you were born
the Earth turned, the Moon pulled,
the Sun flared, and, then, with a push,

you slipped out of the dark quiet
where suddenly you could hear...
...a circle of people singing
with voices familiar and clear.

"Welcome to the spinning world." the people sang,
as they washed your new, tiny hands.

"Welcome to the green Earth," the people sang,
as they wrapped your wet, slippery body.

And as they held you close
they whispered into your open, curving ear,
"We are so glad you've come."

- From On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier