All God's children

Arianna Noel, our little angel I decorated the cake with a cute little angel figurine on it.

Today was Arianna's baptism. Arianna Noel was almost born on our couch on Christmas night. Her official relationship to us is step-great-granddaughter. Bill's daughter married a man who had a boy, Michael, who lived out of town. He grew up and married Vicki, and they are Arianna's parents. We see them at family events and on holidays, but this baby doll is just one more little darling in our family, no matter how infrequently we see her.

We received a message that the christening would be delayed by almost two hours. We were directed to go to the reception first, in an historic building that had been built with recycled materials from the St. Louis, 1904 World's Fair. I was anxious to see it, and I couldn't wait to hold the baby.

As we drove to the small town, a thunderstorm barreled up HY 44. We noticed flashing red lights and emergency equipment on an overpass, and I said a silent prayer for the people involved. Coincidentally, the next overpass had a fire truck with lights flashing. Wow! The weather was treacherous. With our windshield wipers working overtime, we drove cautiously and wondered aloud why there were dozens of people standing in a downpour on the next overpass with more emergency vehicles. The same thing on the next bridge, and the next and the next. An oversized drenched flag was suspended atop a hook and ladder fire truck with its lights flashing. We turned off the highway and onto the main street and gasped at the sight of people lined up for blocks and blocks, standing in the rain waving flags.

For a baby's christening? Of course not. The hoopla was for a home town hero's welcome. The soldier, a volunteer firefighter was supposed to come home on leave next week. He arrived today instead. In a casket. It was so inspiring to see such a turnout, love and support for this twenty-one year old man and his family who made the ultimate scarifice.

Two mothers, two children, one celebrating a beginning; one celebrating an end. All I can say is WHY? Why-why-why are we in this war? I remember feeling this same pain and anguish during the 1960's Viet Nam Conflict.

Arianna received gifts and cash, but LOVE is the greatest gift that we can give anyone. A baby cannot have too many people to love him or her.

The photographer requested a grandmother photo, and six women came forward. Arianna's maternal great-grandmother, her paternal great-grandmother, two step-great-grandmothers-in-law, her maternal grandmother, and paternal step-grandma gathered for a group photo with the baby. If I have lost you in all that family tree business, don't even try to figure it out. We'll all be called Grandma.

These lyrics speak to me, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love.."