The continuity of Life

My brother and sister-in-law are finally the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy.
His name is William Benjamin (we'll call him Benjamin), and he was 6lbs, 9oz, finally born on August 10th. He is beautiful and sweet and has that wonderful new baby aura about him that pulls at your ovaries a little.. He was born by C-section after all other attempts failed, and all are doing well, although definitely sleep deprived. He is a total blessing.

My sister and her husband visited us two weeks ago. Part of that visit was to spread the ashes of their lost child out at the lake, by the family cottage. What a wringer they have been through, physically and emotionally, and how very brave they are.
Our family gathered together at the cottage and shared a wonderful meal. My father spoke of love, loss, the eternal circle of life, and the love of family. After dinner we all went for a walk, then watched from the bluff as Ange and Mike climbed out on the rocks that jut out into the lake. They spent quiet minutes in this place of beauty, and said goodbye to their unborn child, spreading ashes on the lapping waves.
It seemed so fitting, to be in a place where crashing waves and total stillness are both possible, and the coming and going of the tides leave their fingerprints on the world. A place ever-changing, yet solid and steadfast. The perfect place to store a cherished memory. A piece of all of us rests there too.