Princess

Her birth took place in the same huge hospital were her father had once been taken by semi-comatose by ambulance from Mussoorie - suffering from a malarial fever which he brought back with him from Africa. Stefan's right leg had been bitten by over 120 mosquitoes a few weeks previously when he visited lake Victoria. The miracle was that when we arrived at St. Stephen's hospital on that early Delhi winter morning in 1997 - that he opened his eyes and began speaking again.

But no such crisis brought this little girl into the world.

Rather it was the age old mystery of maternal pain through which another perfectly formed child entered into light - and started breathing for herself.

How strange that the sound a parent most wants to hear right after birth is the crying of the child. Silence from a newborn is a terrible weight. Happily this little nipper exercised her lungs duly!

Newly minted big brother Ashish is at hand to gently carry this small living miracle.

What will be going through his mind at the arrival of another Eicher - a new baby - and his onesome world now becoming a twosome?

We remember Asha's less than enthusiastic welcome for Enoch 6 years ago. But the few moments of uneasiness have moved into years of love and joy with each other.

Each child allows us to look at the world with new eyes. As their days unfold, this worn and torn world is experienced by them for the very first time. The miracles of light. The liquidity of water. The warm of mother and father. The profound realness of space and time - experienced in little doses - and co-discovered by her loving parents.

In the mean time - lots of sleep. And nourishment. And love.

What a beautiful picture of care that takes place with each child who is looked after by loving parents. The amazing fragility of life, so carefully nurtured and protected by mother and father. The tenderness and strength that we are able to give our little ones which echoes the care and love we receive from our heavenly Father.

Sleep well sweet princess. You have entered into an amazing life.