Evolving

Many of you (hundreds actually) may have already seen this photo earlier today on a few platforms.  I feel compelled to tell this story so please indulge me.

Today started out like any other day and I had no expectations that it would end any differently than it started,  mundane, perfunctory, frustrating. Drink the coffee then say the words.

You know the song, right?

Our daughter Elissa called yesterday and told me she was going to take Adeline to church for Mass at noon and did I want to join them? It was going to be Adeline’s first trip to the  church in advance of her upcoming baptism on Thanksgiving morning.

Who am I to say no as I was already thinking my schedule in Columbia had me near the church around noon, so I eagerly agreed.

My wife and I had just been visiting them over the weekend, but the baby seemed different today. A “Ginger” like her daddy, her eyes are becoming crystal blue and they seemed  more focused and you knew she was taking in her new surroundings and processing them as only a 3-month + baby can. Everything is new.  I was able to sense her curiosity and for me, it was spellbinding and in my estimation, had developed from just five days ago.

She was in a strange place, but she was remarkably calm. We got to the chapel early and Elissa let me hold her for awhile before putting her back in her “car seat” while the Mass was celebrated. She never made a sound as she she took it all in.

The priest, a dear family friend since the days we moved to Columbia 23 years ago, was enjoying the moment as much as we were, sharing in our joy and awe.

While she had my attention from the day she was born, today, in the quiet of that church, I finally realized I was her grandfather and that little bundle of cooing smiles was attached to me in a way I never understood, until now.

Fr. Lyon, with Adeline, in his office after Mass.

My guess is that it is only going to get better because this tiny redhead has grabbed my heart. . .  a heart that has been hiding.

It is simply amazing what having a baby around will do for you.

God is good.