Sunday, April 15, 2012

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.."

12 comments:

Bookie said...

Both sad and beautiful, this post...I don't understand the whys either...on anything. Last night, Mother Nature threw another fit. Our son was in this one in Wichita. Why the turbulence? Why one block and not the other? Guess, we won't know and must do as you did, go and gather the joys while possible! Have a good Sunday.

Tammy said...

What a moving post...and what a lucky baby to have so many grandmothers. But DANG, woman, you're a cake decorator, too?? That's beautiful! So is the baby. ;)

Pat Wahler said...

I couldn't agree with you more, Linda. I've often thought that women should replace men as leaders. What woman would purposely send her son off to war?

Pat
Critter Alley

Sioux Roslawski said...

I'm with Tammy. Dang! You've been holding out on us. (And by that, I mean TELLING about your talent with cake decorating, not SHOWING us--by bringing cake. This is one instance where telling is better than showing.)

Claudia Moser said...

She is so beautiful, happy event!

Anonymous said...

So bittersweet. What a wonderful reflection on the fullness of life. You are so good!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Congrats on the new grandbaby! She's adorable.

Anonymous said...

Arianna is darling!

Chatty Crone said...

She is so precious - I wish I had a little girl grand daughter. So sweet. sandie

Susan said...

Ohhhhh, Linda, what a happy occasion with Arianna, despite the lousy weather. And sad for the family of the young soldier who died. Sad sad sad

Thanks for sharing. Susan

BECKY said...

What a beautiful little girl. How lucky she is to have so many who love her. And how sad about the young soldier. I totally agree with Pat....if women ruled the world, maybe peace would finally be achieved, because we wouldn't send our own sons or daughters into harm's way. It is very sad and I ask, too, Why?

Lynn said...

What a beautiful baby! Your cake decorating is amazing. And yes, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.