To Zion

On this, the night before my firstborn's birthday, I'm always cast right back -- it's now been 12 years -- to the feelings of excitement I had as my contractions started getting closer together and we started preparing to go to the hospital. Belly all swollen and only two ways to get the baby out -- neither of which is easy on the mother's body -- is nature's way of making sure mamas know just how big the event that's coming is going to be for them. And yet, nothing could ever have prepared me for the escalation of every emotion that I felt when my son was born.

In my estimation, the beautiful Lauryn Hill comes closest to capturing this experience in this song she wrote for her son, Zion. I know some can't appreciate her tying the experience so closely to God, but I think you can substitute there whatever source of goodness you believe in:

Now the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion

How beautiful if nothing more

Than to wait at Zion's door

I've never been in love like this before

Now let me pray to keep you from

The perils that will surely come

See life for you my prince has just begun

And I thank you for choosing me

To come through unto life to be

A beautiful reflection of his grace

See I know that a gift so great

Is only one God could create

And I'm reminded every time I see your face

That the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion