Woke up to the little ones and Maria coming in singing "Happy Birthday" and carrying this beautiful watercolored birthday poster they had made for me! Complete with Therese printing on top of their combined creation... they made it out in the yard on the table... Maria just described to me how they each did this without the help of mother other than helping David wet his paintbrush and keep the colors from getting mixed up. Shortly after I got a call from Pat at Nancy's house and the grandkids sang me "Happy Birthday" there. It is a good day for an old woman away from home and waiting with more and more impatience. Good news greeted us this morning that Maria had a series of braxton hicks contractions at about 11p last night. "I was just about going to get my phone and start timing them when they quit." The first real sign that soon we will have Patrick in our arms!
After blowing out the candles on my french toast... I opened my presents of a wonderful homemade bracelet with beads and holy medals... miraculous, the divine mercy, Blessed John Paul II, St Therese, a blessed Crucifix from when Maria was studying in Rome by Blessed John Paul II, and a Holy Spirit dove... I think that I am covered in the midst of various pink colored beads! Very special and thoughtful. Then there were the homemade books by the two little ones. I rejoiced when I read the story Therese wrote and a ways into it she named all the babies that Princess Maria and Joseph had.... there were all the grandkids including Patrick! I got to hold Patrick on my birthday!!!!
Jesus is on top with the Cross over Him... The prayer of a child on my birthday... Jesus is listening, and I am truly blessed.
The one request I had was that Michigan be in my book from Therese... I love the blue of the water and the sky in Michigan!
The books from both the kids... so special! As I write this there is a "daddy movie" on the screen next to me. Joe is playing the guitar and singing for his kids to remember him. Therese is up and dancing and singing along. Tears are welling up in my eyes to know that they have to be apart from their dad at this special time in their family - the birth of their 5th child! Yes, I count the two losses that I have been with Maria for over the last year and a half. They are named and prayed for daily along with her others. Maria and I have shared the pain of loss, and now await this healing presence of a new child- Patrick! Jesus, we trust in you! That is on the back of my Divine Mercy medal on my wrist now. The tears are welling forth at the remembrance of all the blessings I have had over my years - my children here and with me and the 6 in heaven looking down on my at this moment and always - praying for their mom to be a better and better person... on the road to sainthood!
Up on the mountain with the desert community of El Paso beneath us after mass yesterday. Mexico is behind. Jesus, I am filled with gratitude for the many blessings I have received in my lifetime. I am yours, and ask that I can become more and more yours with every beat of my heart and every breath that I take. Thank you for this time in this home which is centered upon you and your Bride, The Church! To see your Joy , Love and Peace around me from the faces of the little ones is a delight and gift. There is no other gift that I could have that is better than being in the midst of family at a hard/Cross time in their lives. A time where their dad is away in a distant land to keep our country safe and to fight for Good. He is missing the arrival of his son, and the arms of his loving children and wife. I feel very inadequate in being here to fill the space. Daddy is now singing - Blessed be the Lord, My Rock - for the kids and I looked over to see Therese kneeling before the altar of saints that Maria has in their home. She is praying for her daddy every day... as are we all! Jesus, protect all those in harm's way, and bring Joseph home without injury inside or out! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
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