On September 20, 2008, my sister Jean married Pat, a wonderful man. It was the most intense day for anyone who was present. I was telling a new friend that it was the kind of day where Love comes at you undiluted, in its purest form. Almost deadly. Most of the time, the Love we receive is a little bit watered down, makes it easier to bear. September 20 was about a Love that was like staring directly at the sun.
On May 15, 2009, two days ago, Jean and Pat welcomed into the world a gorgeous puffy-cheeked little girl whose name is Lucy Anne. My mother, my sister, me, Pat’s parents and sister … all sat out in the waiting room, pacing, texting, or (like me, my mother and my sister on occasion) sleeping standing up. It had been a long long day. Finally, from down the hall, we heard the wail. The wail of life. Lucy’s life beginning.
Jean and Pat didn’t find out ahead of time if it was a boy or a girl. When Pat finally came out, tears in his eyes, to tell us the news, we all started hugging, and crying, and I glanced over at Pat’s mother at one point, and she was literally jumping up and down and clapping.
And so again. Undiluted Love, like staring into the sun.
We love Lucy so much. We are so present to the gifts of life, the gifts of God. We feel our angels watching over us. We missed having Brendan and Cashel and Melody with us.
I texted my cousin Kerry after the baby was born – saying, “Lucy Anne!”
30 seconds later, my mother’s cell phone rang and it was my uncle Tony, Kerry’s father, saying, “Congratulations on the arrival of Lucy Anne!” It’s curious that some people find modern technology to be cold, or alienating, or that it somehow keeps people from being connected. I’m not sure what technologies THOSE people are talking about, but the ones I am aware of KEEP us connected. I got 40 messages alone on Facebook from cousins, friends … people who live far away … sending love, prayers, best wishes, and then – when Lucy arrived – begging for photos. We are not alone. We are connected to one another.
My cousin Kathleen emailed me after I sent her a picture. “Tears of joy are streaming down my face,” she wrote.
There are angels everywhere. In heaven and on earth. The last year has been harrowing for my family. But all along … Lucy has been growing, developing, getting ready to come out and join the family.
Jean is doing great. Pat is doing great. I am so proud of both of them. It has not been easy. Today, Jean gets to go home. Lucy is beyond awesome. We spent the last 24 hours just hovering over her, staring at her. All she was doing was sleeping. But it was the most riveting sight we’ve ever seen.
O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in’t!
Welcome to the world, Lucy Anne.
Congratulations to ALL.
AllTheBest,
Rob
WELCOME, LUCY ANNE!!!!!
Mere sent me the pictures – she’s BEAUTIFUL!!!
Congratulations!
What a blessing!
Wonderful news, congratulations!
I guess my father was staring into the sun and feeling the love as well because those are quite the protective glasses wrapped around his head…
Bets – hahahahahahaha!!!!
happy happy congratulations to everyone!!!
So good to hear that everyone is healthy and happy. Congratulations to your family!
Congratulations to your whole family! And welcome, Lucy!
I have tears in my eyes. I don’t even know your sister. I’m just so happy for you, for your family. Lots of love.
C
Welcome to the world Lucy! You couldn’t have been born into a family who loves you more.
Congrats to the family! Welcome, little one! (BTW that wedding photo is lovely!)
I’m so happy for you all!
You all deserve this joyous event so much!
Welcome to the world Lucy Anne!
Congratulations, and good luck and blessings to little Miss Lucy Anne.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! AND WELCOME LUCY ANNE!!
I’ve seen the pictures and she’s just gorgeous… The look of love and happiness on everyone’s faces is just to die for, what a blessing!!! I am so happy for you and your family, Sheila… your sister looks radiant, that child will grow up in a family that loves her so much…
Lucy Anne… such a sweet, beautiful name, too…
I am thinking of you… seeing you hold your niece is a lovely picture, indeed.
Blessings for you, for your family, and for that little sweety pie Lucy Anne!!!!!
Ceci – thank you dear!!!!
Thank you everyone – it was an incredibly emotional day for all of us. We are so happy to have Lucy with us now.
Oh, and when she was 6 hours old, she saw her first Red Sox game with her parents. Because that’s the O’Malley way.
Sheila – thank you, thank you, thank you for this! We are both overwhelmed with all of the “goodly creatures” that lovingly surround us. We are so fortunate and we love you, Auntie Sheila, so much!