I don’t know of too many things more precious than a newborn baby. The indescribable softness of new skin, the fine wisps of hair delicately laid upon their perfect, tiny sphere, and the mesmerizing toy-like fingers. How they draw us all in from the memory-filled great-grandparent all the way to the 2 year old wanting to add to their “I’ll only understand if I touch it” database.

My daughter had been looking forward to bringing her newborn to church since the day she knew she was pregnant. These special friends had been lifting them up through many months, and mom and dad were ready to present the princess to their church family. Dad had stepped away to speak with a fellow father for a moment, and then it happened.

Just as if the pastor had said “free banana pudding at the back of the church” people began to congregate in great haste around the perfectly dressed baby doll. The hands were reaching not for sanitizer, but for the baby’s face, head, and tiny fingers. Children with uncontained excitement were leaning in close for a kiss and the grown ups were feeling privileged in their proximity as well.

My daughter had not anticipated the need for people to verify that the princess lying there was actually real, and she began to panic in trying to reconcile a retreat with gentle comments meant to cover her true feelings of BACK OFF. Oh, what she would have given for Glinda’s Bubble at that moment for people to be in awe with a distance of reverent respect.

In hindsight, she realized that there was truly no life-threatening issue. However, it was also a situation she wanted to repeat about as often as that diaper change in the car that “backfired” – and no, I’m not referring to the car.

What I Would Have Said

Hindsight for most of us is 20/20, so when it comes to anticipating a mass greeting again or even an unexpected person in the grocery store, I think the key is to be able to position your body as a pivoting shield until you are able to hold your sweet baby just out of reach but in full presentation mode.

Some people are just so excited that they don’t even think in the moment about any germs that may be in their system or on their hands. An effective suggestion is to turn the conversation to the other person. Ask them if they have grandchildren, or mention how pretty their outfit is and how your baby must be enjoying those colors, etc.

For the munchkins, ask them about their fun shoes and if they make them run faster or if they have an exciting sport that they play. The strategy is deflection, and you will find that you can have a conversation alongside your newborn without compromising their ever-strengthening immune system.

Most of all, enjoy knowing that you have been blessed with someone who was designed to be cherished. Right now it is the wonder of a newborn, but it won’t be long before you’ll be beaming with each person you see in her future giving her a hug or high-five for being whatever blessing she has been designed for.