Baby “Tina”
by Roger A. Shake, CFP®, RLP®, CeFT®
It’s Wednesday evening, September 25th. I’m sitting in the waiting area of UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs watching the sun set over Pike’s Peak while our daughter-in-law Serene is in labor. I wasn’t sure we would ever be here. You see our son Bennett and Serene have been on an extended journey involving all the highs and lows of infertility. This past February, Bennett and Serene excitedly shared they were expecting a baby girl in September. On hearing the news, our 7-year-old granddaughter Isla declared her in utero cousin should be named Tina. The name Tina continued to be a placeholder for the family.
As I reflect on “Tina’s” pending arrival into this world, it occurs to me that for most of us, this life continues to be a mixed bag of hope and despair, dreams and disappointments, aspirations and aimlessness, and deeply felt joys and sorrows. I pondered, as most generations do, some deeper questions…
What kind of world is this little girl being born into?
What will her life look like?
How do we foster a spirit of strength, kindness, courage, generosity and faith in her?
What does the capacity for unconditional love feel like?
And on and on and on…
As I sit with these feelings and questions, Thomas Merton’s words come to mind,
“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”
Yana Meilin (美琳) Shake was born on September 26, 2024, at 11:16am at 8 lbs and 11 oz and 20.75 inches long. Yana means God is gracious, He answers, and Meilin (美琳) means beautiful abundance. Bennett and Serene are doing well after a long labor. We spent a week with them as Serene’s mom Sew Kee flew in from Malaysia. They are surrounded by helping hands and loving hearts as this adventure called parenthood begins.
Witnessing the miracle of life, holding precious Yana, having another awe and wonder moment, and feeling my heart swell with unconditional love… Yes, I’m on board with Thomas Merton, it is possible to embrace this present moment with courage, faith and hope.
Are there possibilities or challenges you’re currently experiencing? What will it take for you to show up with a little courage, faith or hope? I’d love to hear from you rshake@LegacyConsultingGroup.com.
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