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Two days ago, my good friend Julie gave birth to her second child. It took Reed and me until today to manage to get to the hospital to visit her. She was radiant, she was well, and we got to help them choose an outfit, dress Miriam, pack up and check out. Julie, already a mom, didn't need most of the things I would offer a new mom. She knew how to stock a nursery and the name of a good lactation consultant.

What I didn't realize was that our being there was the thing that was most needed, but the way Jules said it, I believe her. They needed help getting everything to the car. Yes, an orderly or two help out, but they don't enthusiastically recheck to be sure you grabbed your pillows from home and take pictures of you as you roll glowingly out the door. They needed more than just each other to make it a celebration. They needed community. I suppose that's all anyone ever really needs.

We were where we were needed when we were needed for once. It was nice. To all my friends we don't see enough since we became parents. I still love you. That's all.

Posted by karen at August 9, 2003 12:00 AM