Babies in Budapest

One of the great treasures of living far, far from home is the strange way God connects you with others who live... far, far from home.  It's something I've seen as a military kid and now as an expat living abroad.  There is nothing quite like the "family" that seems to emerge.

One of the extra special treasures occurs when those who become like brothers, sisters, strange uncles ... is when one of them adds a baby to their family.  This is where I find myself this morning.  I am sitting in a flat in Budapest, Hungary, listening to my dear friend (a girl of 42 ... and a horrible inside joke) cooing in a high pitched voice to a strange little person she now calls her precious baby girl.  Living ... far, far from home ... and not having a sister that emerged from her mother's womb ... and having a Mamma who can't jump on a plane because of caring for an ailing husband ... I am the second, third, or fourth best thing.  I am the "Aunt"  who has come to change diapers, coo, hold, wipe drool, cuddle, sooth, coddle, and basically love on sweet baby.

My dear friends have become non-sleeping, crazy loving, diaper changing, snot wiping, stroller pushing, weird sound making, constant photo snapping ... parents!  They've joined the ranks of the thousands, millions, billions of other normal people who crossed that line to bear offspring and be forever changed.  But for just a few days ... I get to bring, hopefully, time for an unexpected nap ... or a quick date to the local coffee shop ... or just another pair of hands to help stuff baby into her jacket.  What a wonderful life!