OK, So I Was Never any Good at Keeping Secrets, Anyway

Sharon & I are expecting our second child. In almost identical circumstances to those surrounding Lucy, the pregnancy was unexpected but entirely welcome and cause for celebration.

I almost think it was some sort of combination of the various money stresses of the past number of months, and all the other stresses on my mind (courtesy of the Year of Big Decisions), combined with the sudden wash of joy; but the moment at which she showed me the little indicator on the home pregnancy test (99% accuracy rate), I just started laughing. I couldn't stop. She started trying to ask me why I was laughing and then she started laughing, too. Lucy came wandering in, wondering why her momma & daddy were laughing, laughing, laughing and locked in an embrace; then she started laughing, too and asked to be picked up and held between us. A wonderful moment. Sure to be on the Short List for "Best Moment of 2006," though almost assured of not being the Best Moment.

Ah, new life! I'm a Grade-A Cynic; but for me, bringing a new life into the world is the greatest expression of optimism I can possibly imagine. Optimism not only that I can add someone to the world that will do it more good than harm, but also optimism that we face a world worth living in. It's a crazy, sometimes messed-up and frustrating little world we live in, with seemingly no end of disappointment, cruelty, and suffering. But it is an extraordinary, wild, wide, and wonderful world too, with love, beauty, laughter, and curiosity enough to bring you pleasure, were you to be able to live a thousand lifetimes. All the things that make life worth living: the "spices of life." I love them and the experience of sharing them with my daughter brings me such joy I want to jump around and explode. And I can't wait to let someone else in on all the fun!!!