Big Blessings

We have been home with Levi about a month now. It seems like a very long time since we drove to the hospital at 2:20 am with the first contractions. I remember distinctly rounding the bend in the south side of Lake Calhoun and saying out loud between contractions, “St. Michael the Archangel. Pray for us. St. Pio. Pray for us. St. Gianna Molla. Pray for us. St. Ann. Pray for us, etc.”
Then five days later while passing the exact spot on our way home from the hospital, the sun was shining, and I noticed the leaves had all turned golden. “When did that happen?” I wondered. Oh yes, I was in the hospital and things have changed. Yet, it seems appropriate that my fair haired child with eyes of blue was born at this time of the year. A big blessing in such a small bundle, a golden hued bundle that is.

Levi nice and cozy

Little Levi had a few bumps in the road with extra blood tests after returning home, but in the end he is doing just fine. They thought he might have some adrenal issue which turned out to be a misdiagnosis based upon his premature birth.

Back at the homefront things are a bit unkept. I romanticize about leaving the United States for some small African village where our children play in big groups, I weave basket with other woman folk, my husband goes off and hunts and we are surrounded by generations of wisdom and loving, supportive arms. There are very few stay-at-home moms in my neighborhood. Our closest relative lives a half an hour away. Was life meant to be this isolated, so disconnected?

The household is a bit unkept, a little crazy with the basement almost finished and the basement toys stashed in any free space we can find, but thank God for my parish, Holy Family, which set up a meal plan after his birth. At least I don’t have to meal plan and prepare dinner. We have had dinners delivered from friends and parishioners every Monday, Wednesday and Friday since Levi was born back on September 23rd. The meal calendar is filled through October and into November. It has been a huge help. If not for the meal plan, my children would be subsisting on “sticky rice” (which is coconut milk and brown rice with a bit of sucanat) and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Instead our plate has overflowed with delicious home cooked meals. In fact, many people who follow this blog have helped out. Carey, Annamarie, Shellee, Pamela, Ann, may God bless you abundantly for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Want to move to a small African village? We could weave baskets together?

When I was little we bounced around quite a bit from parish to parish. I never really felt connected with any one church or community. As a result, I really want that blessing for my family. It is a priority.

“Relationships are the most important thing in the world.” a theology teacher once said. It all boils down to relationships. Our relationship with God. Our family, spouse and children.  When we die we won’t care two figs about our weight or the size of house we have, but having intimate relationships, being surrounded by loved ones, those moments that cannot be bought or sold. That is what it is all about. So I really cherish being a part of a community that is hands-on, caring and concerned for its members. When I look around the Church on Sunday, I see so many lovely people that our family has become friends with. It is a blessing and I feel wealthy beyond words.

Okay, so it is not perfect. We would like to see something healthier offered after mass in the hall, instead of just coffee and donuts. Bagels anyone? But, if that is the worst of it, I will take the sprinkled donuts any day.

Speaking of donuts. Today, is my second day of giving up sugar. Will post more about that later.

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