I have never been a fan of Face Time. Gwynn uses it all the time, to talk to Ellie, and I peek over her shoulder, and say hi to my beautiful teenage niece, but then I duck away. I am only supposed to be a quick blip in the conversation, anyways, and I also find myself feeling awkward. I wonder about how horrid I look, where to look on the screen, whether my nose looks even bigger than it does in real life. But tonight, due to the wonder of Face Time, I got to see my brand new baby niece, Agnes, and it was amazing. A word I do not love, for sure, but one very much fitting to this moment. Scott sent me a picture, of Mom and Dad fawning over her in the hospital. I replied that it was so nice, but that I was a little lonely, and SO jealous. Then he suggested it, he Face Timed me in, and I "got it."
Suddenly I became a BIG Face Time fan.
Sweet little Agnes, born just a little over 24 hours ago, but filling up that phone screen, made me feel like I was there, in that hospital room. I really, kinda, sorta, was. I got to "Oooh!" and "Ahhh!" with everyone over her hair, and her long graceful fingers. Mom unwrapped her and I saw her round little belly, and her delicate toes. I got to put in my two cents about who she looks like, at least for the right now. I got to tell a couple of funny stories about how we are taking in the news, up here in Fair Haven; about the excitement of having another member in our tiny, wonderful family, about the fact that Devin has already chosen a nickname for her. And to top it off, I got to snap a few screen shots. A couple are particularly funny too, looking a bit like those creepy Sears photos from the 70's where you'd have a front facing portrait of someone, and then a sideways portrait of the same person superimposed over their shoulder. Except this time it was my little brother, holding his little daughter, with me, superimposed, in a Face Time box, up and over his shoulder. Yeah, a little bit creepy, and a little bit AWESOME! Baby book material for sure!
Yes, after a long day, and with a bit of a cold coming on, it was just me and the dog, home alone tonight. Tim was coaching a football game. Devin and Gwynn were with friends at the Homecoming soccer games. But suddenly, and thanks to Face Time, I was not alone. I was with my family. I was meeting my newest niece.
Welcome to the world, Agnes. I love you already.
