Today is the anniversary date of my having become a mother, the birthday of my oldest daughter, Josi Ann Ward. I had a very difficult, lengthy ordeal in that birth process, but as soon as that tiny angel with her rosebud colored lips was in my arms I remember saying that I would do it all a thousand times again right now if this is what I get out of it. No amount of earthly pain can hold a candle to or be remembered in the presence of such a visitation from heaven.

And the feeling I had about Josi in that first moment has grown sweeter and broader and deeper and higher and stronger every moment of the last 29 years. I knew in that instant what had just entered my life, a being of grace and beauty that only the finest poets or composers could begin to describe. Watching her unfold all of that gorgeousness into this world has been a rare privilege. There is nothing I can do to appropriately express how grateful I am. So I live with a heart that keeps bursting with love and joy about it, and smile a lot.

Ah, Josi, what good God ever thought of you? That God I can adore.