Thursday, April 01, 2010

Life changing moments

People always speak about life changing moments. We moved to the UK, moved back to SA and then finally (hopefully) to Australia. Moves like these are one thing and have some challenges like missing our family and friends, but we adapt and settle eventually.

In July 2008, we lost my beloved niece Kirstin in a tragic accident. I think of her everyday and will probably never fully understand the reason for this. Why God decided it was time to take her when she had so much to offer, I don't know. The saying goes time heals.. but we are left with deep scars from events like these, and it changes your outlook on life, making you acutely aware of what is truly important.

Tonight was another life changing moment - my daughter Abigail Kirstin Mackrill was born today Wendesday 31 March 2010 at 17:36. To see the result of the love between my wife and myself expressed in such a beautiful little person is just astounding. This little lady who is completely dependant on us for everything now, will develop and grow into her own independent person with her own aspirations and dreams.

We have been happily married for almost nine years and parents always told us that everything changes when you have children and my parents say the same for grandchildren. I didn't realise the gravity of their statement or how instantanious that change is. Nothing else matters anymore, only the wellbeing of your child matters. The instictive feeling that makes you want to care and protect them at any cost.

In retrospect, I realise now that at the time I couldn't have known what my sister was going through when my niece passed away. We were and still are broken hearted, but to some extent, I can now understand the gravity of her sadness.

Holding that little new life in my hands today wipes out all the pain and suffering that goes on in the world today. I do not look forward to her first scratched elbow or knee, but I know that it will all turn out alright in the end as it's all in God's plan for her.