Welcome to the New Normal

(For Morgan Nicole Sky Ritchie - born February 5, 2012)

Nearly 9 months ago, things changed.

Eating and sleeping changed.

Walking changed.

Driving changed.

Work changed.

Relationships changed.

At more than one point, the foolish notion passed through your head,

"I'll be glad when you are born, so things can get back to normal."

Time continued, and so did the changes 

You grew inside me, and my feet disappeared.

You developed fingers and toes and got in the way of the steering wheel.

There were concerns about you and concerns about me.

We weathered the storms and made the new changes.

A new normal developed.

You grew, a little too much, and a new plan came along.

You were just going to have to arrive earlier than planned.

More changes brought more changes. "Are things ever going to get back to normal?"

A plan was made, and as often happens with plans, they were changed and changed again.

Finally, a date was set.

Alas, Morgan, like your parents, you chose to do things differently.

Two days before planned, you decided you had waited long enough.

Normal was closer than ever.

At 10:17 AM on Sunday, February 5, 2012, 'normal' changed forever.

"She is my daughter. The most important thing I will ever have in my life."

Welcome to the new normal.

© Ron Simpson Jr.

February 8, 2012