K

This is K

For those who remember, not long ago I shared a little wish of mine, a wish for a newborn. All our little ones are toddlers or older at the moment and my arms ached for the weight of a baby. I know that wishing for a newborn means somewhere, a mother’s arms will be empty and that truth breaks me. But the sad reality is that it happens. And today, it did.

The phone rang. A social worker’s voice on the other end: “Do you have space for a newborn?”

Mama G didn’t say a word to me right away. She just waited until he arrived. Then, I got the message: “Please come upstairs. It’s urgent.”

With my heart pounding, I ran upstairs, bracing myself for anything. I walked into her bedroom and there she was sitting quietly, holding the tiniest little boy wrapped in a fluffy outfit. She looked up at me and smiled: “Surprise. Here is your little boy you’ve been wishing for.”

In that moment, joy and sorrow collided inside me. I was overwhelmed with happiness that I get to hold and love this little soul, but my heart cracked at the thought of his mama, who tonight will go to bed without him.

He is only two weeks old. So perfect. Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes, a button nose, a plump little mouth that already makes the sweetest pout. I leaned close, kissed his soft cheek and whispered into his ear: “I’m so sorry, little one. But I promise I will love you as if you were my own.

And just like that, he stole my heart. He is a cuddle bunny, sinking into my chest as though he was always meant to be here. He is already so loved.

Tomorrow, I’ll sort through clothes for him and probably sneak out to buy him one or two little outfits, because baby clothes are just so hard to resist. But tonight, it’s enough to hold him close and let him feel safe, wanted and warm.

If anyone has a few NUK bottles or perhaps a little NUK dummy lying around, please think of our newest family member. Every small gift helps us wrap him tighter in love.

Because tonight, while his mother’s arms ache with emptiness, he is not unloved. He is not unseen. He is here, held, cherished and safe.