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<\/p>\nOn 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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And so again. Undiluted Love, like staring into the sun.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
I texted my cousin Kerry after the baby was born – saying, “Lucy Anne!”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
My cousin Kathleen emailed me after I sent her a picture. “Tears of joy are streaming down my face,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
O, wonder!
\nHow many goodly creatures are there here!
\nHow beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
\nThat has such people in’t!<\/p><\/blockquote>\nWelcome to the world, Lucy Anne.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading