The Tale of Two Baby Showers

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?” (Psalm 127:3 -- MSG version)

I attended two baby showers in two cities yesterday. I am so happy for both expecting moms. Each of them loves kids, and has been waiting for a child for a few years. Now each of them is going to have her first born in a month or so. How exciting!

In each party, we shared food, talked, played games, and watched the parents-to-be unwrap gifts. Although our activities were similar, there were differences: (1) Only one party included men beside the expecting dad; (2) One party used English as its primary language but the other used Mandarin Chinese; and (3) There were lots of hugs in one party but not much in the other.

Games we played had different favors. In one party, guests were divided into two teams. With an empty bag and a list of things that a mom might need, we excitedly looked into our own purses to find as many items as possible. We laughed about what a young mom had to carry. In the other party, we cheered three grown men (including the dad-to-be) sucking water from baby bottles and understood it would need patience to feed a baby with a bottle.

I am so blessed to have friends who are American Born Chinese (ABC) and Oversea Born Chinese (OBC). Although the two groups have different subcultures, we are bonded by the love of God and our common belief that children are special and precious gifts from God.

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