A November Blessing

A November Blessing

In the hush between midnight and morning,
he rushed into this world,
as quick as a soft whispered prayer
finally answered.

A thousand miles away,
I felt the atmospheric change,
a joy traveling the airwaves
fast as the speed of light,
straight to a grandmother’s heart.

I waited, my hands trembling
in anticipation for that first photo,
that first breath frozen in pixels.
Its arrival stole my breath
and silent tears followed,
warm and grateful
as the winter sunrise.

His sister brought bright flowers,
his brother a black and white cow
to stand guard at his cradle.
Their small offerings
welcomed him home,
embraced in warm arms,
into this wide, dazzling world.

Though an insurmountable distance kept me
from that hospital room where everyone leaned in close,
the blessing still blossomed
quiet and sure,
deep within my heart.

Grateful for this tiny new life,
I felt a Thanksgiving hymn of praise
rise on delicate wings
into all our hearts.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2025
November 29, 2025

This poem is dedicated to the arrival of our fourth precious grandchild, Holland James Hitchcock, on November 25, 2025. ❤

Yes, it has been a most wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Our daughter Katie and her husband Brenton welcomed the arrival of their third child to their family on Tuesday, November 25. I had gotten up early to get ready for a doctor appointment, and I didn’t hear or see the text from 4:30 am! It was only after I had showered and was going down to get coffee in a haze that Dan said, “Did you see the text?” I said no, why? “Katie had the baby!” I sprinted for my phone and broke down in tears of gratitude! ❤

It was EXTREMELY hard to be a thousand miles away once again when your grandbaby is arriving, and not being able to hold them close! I have been simultaneously on Cloud Nine over Holland’s arrival, and also sad that I am not there yet! It’s hard to describe that deep ache of wanting to hold that baby close and love on them. Early this year, we had planned on going to Florida for Christmas to spend with all our grandkids. We could not be there for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, so Katie had suggested we stick with the plan to come at Christmas. That sounded fine until the birth got closer. As his due date drew closer, I had priced an airline ticket down, but it was outrageously expensive and I had already planned to host Thanksgiving for family in Virginia. Katie can probably use my help more before and during the Christmas holidays, so we’re leaving around December 19 to stay with them. Then after Christmas, we’ll spend a few days with Vince, Natalie & Anthony on the eastern side.

We hosted Thanksgiving at home and it was a wonderful one, filled with family, laughter, two turkeys, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn pudding, pumpkin pies, and reliving so many wonderful memories! I am grateful for the large family I have locally in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania – and also for my children and grandchildren in Florida!

As for Holland’s siblings, Posie and Hatcher are so happy to have a new little brother to love! You can see from the photos how much they adore their little brother already, and the joy just radiates from Posie’s eyes as she holds him (which brings me to tears). We are truly blessed, and looking forward to meeting sweet Holland in just a few weeks. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Xoxo,
Colleen

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 22.17 – Give Thanks!
Hard Bonus:  Mention something you never take for granted (family – and the arrival of a new baby)
Easy Bonus: Include something you may find at a Thanksgiving meal (praise, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing)