Raining Cats & Dogs (and Mice too!)

Well, today is another graduation at Southern Seminary in Louisville and I'm feeling nostalgic...Seven years ago, on a rainy May day, the campus was in full swing with Trustees in town, professors in their academic robes and tasseled hats, and me, hard at work in Campus Information and Guest Relations. Then, it got really exciting. My water broke. When i asked to leave early, my boss actually said, "Are you sure? The Trustees are in town!" OMG. Seriously. OK, moving on....I called DH to come and get me, and according to my cousin, Matt (who was there when DH got the call), he was in complete shock. While I waited for DH, people came in and out of the big doors of Honeycutt, with their umbrellas in tow. I will never forget what happened next...Dr. Cox walked by, looked at me, and said, "WOW! It really is coming down out there!". Realizing that he was alluding to my, er, drenched appearance, all i could do was smile and say, "it sure is!" with alot of enthusiasm. I decided that maybe i should wait outside for a bit to make sure the soaked look i was now sporting was a little more uniform. So begun one of the most meaningful days of my life. My baby, will be 7 in just a few days. How would i have known then that pain of labor would not compare to the heartbreak of an autism diagnosis? How would i know that the joy of seeing him for the first time would not compare to the joy of him hugging me tightly and not shrinking back? As i look at my tall boy who sports the most amazing dimples, i wonder, "am i even the same person i was 7 years ago?"...standing there soaked with the promise of motherhood, laughing nervously, waiting for our green Honda civic to come into view? The forcast calls for rain this weekend...a perfect day to snuggle on the couch and watch Tom & Jerry for the hundredth time and thank God for His goodness to me.