Slowly, I sit up and glance around the room. I hear the murmur again. I feel it as a sleepy cry, muffled down the hall. Words do not exist, although the sense of anticipation is full of words. "Now," is the word of the day. "Baby," closely follows. "We will become us," I am reminded.

"Are you ready, baby?" I whisper. The sound of my voice is rose petal soft, I am sure the dogs do not hear, but, of course, they do. They rise, shake the memory of chasing rabbits in their dreams from their bones, and amble on over to me. Cold, wet noses poke at my knees and brush my nightshirt. The dogs do not know the importance of the day. The dogs live only in the moment, eager for a walk.

"Soon," I smile at them, letting my feet touch the slippers on scattered beneath their paws on the wooden floor. I move to the door and try to stifle the creak it makes when I open it. The dogs rush out, headed for the door to the backyard. The morning light peeks over the fence. Wispy clouds stretch across blue sky.

I allow the night to slip away. I welcome the day and the wonderful new tomorrows it brings. Everything has changed. Nothing is the same. I touch my breast, feel the strong pulse, hear the question it is asking.

Across the miles, far, far away...my newest granddaughter is being born. I am not there, and yet, I am.

My heart begins to sing a wondrous song, full of joy.The phone rings. It's time... Baby Frankie is coming!