Day 10 of Life: 'Hike 2': Spring Blossoms

While anticipating Rai's arrival, we spent several months looking for a new apartment. Most of that search left us disappointed and discouraged as apartments in our price range were often small, windowless, or decrepit.

As is always the case, unexpectedly one day, we found the perfect place: a two-bedroom flat in a home shared only with a very kind owner. A few days later, we had signed the lease. With access to nature on three sides, the location is perfect. Golden Gate Park is two blocks to the south, the Pacific Ocean is 6 blocks west, and Lincoln Park and the cliffs of Lands End are three blocks north. And not too far north east is the beautiful Presidio National Park with Baker Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge. Oh, and did we mention that Rai's Grandma and Grandpa are just six blocks away?

With Rai here, we now realize even more how thankful we are to be surrounded by nature. Our walk into Golden Gate Park yesterday to see all the spring blossoms made us realize just how fortunate we are to have all this green just a few minutes from our door in every direction.

Nature replenishes and revives. These are two things we need more than ever as we work hard to keep Rai fed, night and day. Seeking revival and inspiration, we will certainly make these walks a constant in Rai's first years. With that foundation, we hope that when the time comes when the choice is his own, that he will choose nature, too, as his retreat and source of renewal.