I walked into the brick building in the industrial park, unsure if I even had the right place. As a warm breeze swept through the wisps of Jude’s blond hair, carrying with it hope and relief, I breathed in. We have been putting life on hold in so many ways since Jude was born. I suppose that’s what happens when a child – especially your first – comes along. But something in the air seemed about to change.

Remember – the root word of humble and human is the same: humus: earth. We are dust. We are created; it is God who made us and not we ourselves.
Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water

As I inhaled and exhaled in concert with the Ashtanga Yoga poses I attempted, I felt it. Felt it toe-tip to scalp. Felt it in my bones and in my soul. It reminded me of the mist that fell on us and the Yountville appellation each morning we spent in Napa. It was a refreshing. A re-birthing. A glimpse of wholeness.

An email from World Vision: 1 million homeless.

A letter from St. Jude Children’s Hospital: more than 10,000 children will learn they have cancer this year.

Another email from Not For Sale: 27 million slaves in the world today.

And, as I type this, a tweet: corruption and violence in Sudan continue unchecked.

I am overwhelmed. I read Madeleine L’Engle’s January 28 entry from Glimpses of Grace (yes, accidentally a day early).

You are never more like Christ than when you are choked with compassion over the brokenness of others.
- Brennan Manning

“…the magnitude of this catastrophe is enormous.”

I felt small as I read the email from World Vision. Like most everyone, I’ve been catching snippets of information and news feeds of images from Haiti’s devastating earthquake. And, with reality setting in, I am at a loss as to how to respond.

Only love, only love can leave such a mark…
Magnificent, U2

“Yeah, I’m going back to work next month. And I’m also going back to school to get my degree. I’m starting a business, too. Making kids’ toys.”

I sat across from the bright-eyed mom rocking her three-month-old baby in his car seat. I nodded and smiled as Jude wiggled (all 21 pounds of him) in my arms. As I listened to the young mom go on, something fractured a little inside. She went on about all her plans (“Oh, and we’re thinking about getting pregnant again. I’d have another one tomorrow if I could…”), and I began thinking back on my plans. I began thinking back on our six months with Jude, too.