Welcoming a new baby into our faith

4 generations:  Grandma Hertzel, Me, Jessie, Mom

Today at Mass we had a Baptism.  It doesn't happen too often during a Mass since many opt to have theirs in the early afternoon after the services.

It brought back a lot of memories. 

I remember being home after Jessie's Baptism and realizing the responsibility Bob and I have as parents in raising our child in faith and as a Roman Catholic. 

I believe we could have done a better job with both Jessie & Chip - reading the Bible to them, having special traditions like saying a prayer during each of the Advent days, saying the rosary together.  I do regret that.  I think, though, we lived our lives as good Catholics.  Living is what is important, but prayer is a very important part of living, too.  I plan to show that to my grandchild or grandchildren. I pray my children do that, too.

We said our evening prayers..and the special saying Mom always said to us after prayer:  "Don't let the bed bugs bite."  And I added with mine, "And if they do, bite them back!"  Who would know that bed bugs do really exist!  I never did until the epidemic some had in the last two years.  I wonder what Mom would say.

Chip's Baptism

I am blessed to have two wonderful Saints' names. St. Joan of Arc - the warrior -- and St. Anne, guardian of mothers. I consider them both warriors in their own way.

I pray this grandchild has the strength of St. Joan and the tenderness of St. Anne, no matter what sex it is.  Strength and tenderness live in both men and women.

I hope you enjoy this song.  It shows the strength of a woman, strength each one of us can have with faith in ourselves, our God and others.

There is a beautiful song that Leonard Cohen wrote and Jennifer Warnes sings.  YouTube won't allow it to be posted directly.

Won't you click on the link, listen and watch the beautiful testimony to a blessed woman who blended faith, womanhood, truth, prayer, strength and love.  We face many trials in our lives. With the grace of God, we can overcome them all.

God bless all the new fathers and mothers as they enter this wonderful stage of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtwUyDPXROQ&feature=player_embedded

Anxiety - a shower? Oh no!

Don't get me wrong. 

I love showers - baby, bridal, even rain showers.   Love attending them and don't mind getting a few rain drops on me when running from car to work, gym, etc., during one.

The problem is -- I'm not a very creative person when planning and implementing one.

I turn white -- and become immobile.

I have no visual creativity.  During the four years I taught PE & Health, I put up one bulletin board in the beginning of each year ... and it remained there until the last day of school. 

So, this baby shower scares me.

My sisters-in-law threw a beautiful shower for my niece. It was a Winnie the Pooh theme. Ready for this? A game included naming certain aspects of Winnie the Pooh cartoons, etc. I got a big ZERO.  Baby themes and I don't go together - like bulletin boards.

Luckily, Jessie selected a great theme - farm animals.  That's easy to handle.  I LOVE animals.  Jessie & Justin hope one day to own a mini farm. Animals are definitely part of it.  So, I'm on board with that. Note, I did not write "bored."

So, with the help of dear friends, we had our first Baby Shower Board meeting. It went well.  I like what we're doing.  It's Jessie. And that's what it's all about.

So... giddyup baby shower.  I'm in the saddle - and hopefully I won't fall off.

My Grandma Hertzel used to sing this song Pony Boy to me when I was young.  Maybe that is where I came to love animals.  Here is a 1909 version . . . but Grandma's was much more enjoyable.

Reflections: Post Election Day

Elections can last much too long -- as this presidential one did.

I am not happy with the results.  There were so many issues tied to either candidate. Pick and choose. 

I know my own children.  They are strong. They will survive. We taught them to work hard and not rely on the government. That is America.

It's my future grandchildren for which I fear.   I must, however, place trust in my children's generation, but don't get me wrong -- I will remain vocal.  A grandparent's duty is to live up to his or her beliefs, too.  And so I will.  That, you can take to the polls and punch through that chad loud and clear!

I look forward to this opportunity - and challenge.

Now that that is clear...let's have a laugh.  I really need it!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/N_NspDWssIY

God bless America.