Birth of a child

One of the most beautiful things in life is the birth of a baby. It's such a miracle. Nothing can compare to the happiness it brings.
Today, I'm awaiting the birth of my first great grandchild - my first great grandson matter of fact.  It doesn't seem like that long ago I was the one giving birth to my first born - a daughter. And all too soon after that, I sat waiting for word on the birth of her first child - my granddaughter.
Now my daughter sits and waits for the birth of her first grandchild and my granddaughter awaits the birth of her first child.
As I wait for the phone calls about updates from my daughter, I can't help reflect on the birth of my own children. Such miracles. One looks at the tiny being you carried for nine months, and you can't help wonder how this beautiful being came from you. All the pain vanishes in that instant when you first look at and hold them.
From that day on they learn to be indpendent of you. Sure, they still depend on you for food and to change thier diapers, and love, but from that first breath, they learn to live in the outside world. Every day they become more and more independent. Then they start school, and you're no longer the only influence in their lives. From that day on, they become their own person, develop their own ideas. Eventually, they grow up, go to highschool and maybe college. They get jobs and fall in love, marry and have children of thier own. The cycle begins again.