There are nice people in this world.

baby mimi. about three and a half months.

There are nice people in this world. Some of the nicest people, and I know them.

In the weeks before Mimi was born, Wolf and I stocked up on food like crazy. We stuffed the freezer with pizzas and small meals that we could easily heat up and eat in the few moments we expected to be conscious. On the day we brought her home, Wolf made another rapid run to the supermarket and stocked up on yet more food. See, we don’t have family nearby. It’s not like we could just call a mother or an in-law and ask for a little help. We don’t have siblings or cousins nearby, either. On her first night home, as we put Mimi to sleep in her little bassinet next to our bed, I was gripped with loneliness. Or rather, I just felt terribly alone. Here was this tiny, helpless little thing next to me, swaddled in several blankets, her head in the silliest fleece cap, breathing the tiniest, most delicate breath. I was still in a bit of pain from giving birth, and we were both exhausted and excited. We were eager to get on this journey called parenthood. And freaked out, too. And so alone.

Or so we thought.

The next few days and weeks, friends dropped by, sometimes unannounced, with food, extra groceries, offers to do our laundry, and offers to babysit so we could get rest. It was really unbelievable. Each time a friend came over with enough dinner for six, we gasped with delight and incredible gratitude. These are people with their own children and jobs and other obligations. What had we done to deserve this? At one point, we looked at the food on our table in silence. Dropped our heads and just sobbed. We have good friends. We really do.

Then the packets of mail started to arrive from people I’ve yet to meet in person. Sally sent some of the cutest onesies and a very needed blanket. Linda sent me a colorful caterpillar that Mimi loves to play with. And Marilyn, who has taught me so much about blogging, sent the very groovy outfit that Mimi’s wearing in this post’s picture. Lily and Lily both gave me great advice, to sleep while the baby’s sleeping and to take a lot of photos because she’ll grow so quickly. They were right: the only time I can nap is when Mimi is napping. And I feel like I blinked and suddenly she was already four months old. There are others who have sent gifts who I don’t think want to be mentioned. I’m okay with that. But it’s all the same, really. I have good friends.

I started this blog a while back to write less about the actual cookie designs I created than the experiences I had that inspired them. I don’t believe that cookies need to be decorated just for holidays; I think that they can be decorated for any occasion. And the best part is when I give them away and see or hear how they made the recipients happy. That in turn, makes me insanely happy. That’s why, when I can, I write in this space. It’s all about spreading the happiness.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Have a great weekend.

Tagged as: baby, friends, gratitude