We baptized Luke with happy, happy hearts on Sunday!!! I cried tears of joy as Father Jose’ blessed his little ears, eyes and lips.
I remember the very day that we received news that Luke had meningitis. We went to 4:30 Mass at Cabrini…I remember exactly where we sat…I remember kneeling after communion and crying…I cried so hard and tried to hide the tears from Addy. I remember looking on the internet that night…looking for information on meningitis…neonatal meningitis…effects of meningitis…meningitis & hearing loss… cerebral palsy & meningitis. I wanted answers…I needed answers. I tapped into every search engine and link that was there but was not satisfied…finally I went to bed. As I lay in bed…I remember the comfort of Jeff’s strength beside me…I remember closing my eyes, feeling exhausted and defeated. I prayed so hard that God would help us. When I woke up the next morning I remember an incredible sense of peace…I had no more answers than when my head hit the pillow but I knew that my prayer was heard.
Father Jose’ our beloved priest has a tradition of holding babies up high over his head when he baptizes them. I have always loved the symbolism that it represents...Here is Your child, Lord ~ we offer this baby’s life to You. As I reflected on this before Luke’s Baptism I was conflicted because I know in my heart of hearts that God saw Luke long before this past Sunday. God knew Luke the day he was conceived…the Glorious Physician breathed life into him just as the ventilator pushed tiny, little puffs of air into his lungs that first night. Our merciful God guided Dr. Nijar and Dr. Castor and Dr. Watkins and all the staff of the NICU during Luke’s hospital stay. God gave our family and friends the right words to say to encourage us. Our faithful Lord placed his gentle and peaceful hands on us every single day of that difficult journey. I cannot lose sight of how much strength I felt during that struggle…in my helplessness I was carried.
Our ever present God was there celebrating with us Sunday morning as we presented Luke to our church family…but that was not the first time He saw him.
