Moments after delivery, January 30, 2008
Little Ben in his new bed from February 1, 2008
Although it often feels like our Tokyo apartment is only the size of a doll house, there’s at least one very positive thing I can say about it (since I was never that fond of playing dolls anyhow). This three-room, kitchen, bath, toilet, and walk-in closet has an amazing amount of storage space in it—as long as it’s not people you’re trying to store! Shelves and cabinets line the entry hall; cabinets are built in above doorways and closets, so high up that I can only access them by a step stool; and our dining room area has one entire wall with built in shelves where some of our most precious knickknacks and family photographs are displayed.
On top of these, the living room has two large closets, each with three drawers built in underneath. Until yesterday, the three drawers under the closet I use for my hanging clothes were full of photographs and photo albums, testimony to my love of traveling. In the bottom drawer there were photos from India, Egypt, Israel, and Europe, memories of wonderful visits in those countries between 1991 and 1994.
I smile to recall some of the photographs I have taken over the years. Children are my favorites. One choice shot shows a two-year-old Filipino girl, her hands folded together in belated prayer over her breakfast, some of which already bulges her cheeks. It hangs in our dining room and reminds us to be grateful to God for his good gifts. Another photograph of a Tanzanian baby boy will grace the cover of a book I compiled and edited for publishing in June. “Pretty as a picture” is a wonderful simile to use with many of these photographs I have taken of children around the world. Indeed there were many pretty pictures stored in those living room drawers, but none as beautiful and awe-inspiring as what is there today.
Lined with two quilts, one boasting Winnie the Pooh characters, the bottom drawer is now a bassinette. Its precious cargo is our grandson, Benjamin Donbor Lyngdoh, born on January 30 here in Tokyo. Six pounds, three ounces (2748 grams) and nineteen inches long (48.2 centimeters), Little Ben fits the drawer easily since he’s way too small for his 0-3 month-size clothes. Ten fingers. Ten toes. Nose and eyes like his Papa. Lips like his Mama. Brown hair, the synthesis of both Papa’s black and Mama’s light brown. Already and forever our lives have been changed by this tiny bundle of love. Prettier than any child’s picture ever held in that drawer. Amazing. Truly amazing.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above . . .” (James 1:17). “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
The only thing left to say is don’t close the drawer!
