Tongues and Cheeks

So, I have spent the last two weeks making funny faces and raspberries.  The baby book says that we are supposed to mimic his facial expressions in order to show him that we are interested.  So, I have been mimicking...and showing him some tricks of my own.  Then it happened.  He mirrored me.  Now, he is obsessed with sticking his tongue out at anyone or anything that looks at him or he finds interesting.  It is a riot.  And, if you think I am funny and he reacts to me, you should see him around his mother, he is a regular stand-up comedian.  It is truly very fun to watch. 

I continue to be completely floored and humbled by the fact that I have been given such a gift.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always been very fond of children, and even though I fulfilled my lifelong dream of raising a child, my inner-self so desired to have a baby.  I loved every minute of parenting my 2 year old daughter when she came to me, but I do know now how much I missed.  I am so thankful to be able to experience the feeling of watching a baby be born, holding a baby in my arms every morning and every night, and loving him like no other.  I love the first smiles, the first giggles, and even the first raspberries....free shower and all.

My daughter is approaching motherhood and life the best that she can right now.  She is working hard and starting to spend a little time with her friends also.  She is working to achieve some sort of "normal" in a very different world.  She is showing responsibility beyond comprehension, and for that I am very proud.  As her parent, I find myself trying to figure out how to let her be a teenager and a mother at the same time, while I am experiencing all of the same issues of any parent of a senior in high school....change, and planning, and letting go...while I hold on.....the whole thing is quite mind-boggling.

Parenthood

“Before you had a name or opened up your eyes

Or anyone could recognize your face.

You were being formed so delicate in size

Secluded in God’s safe and hidden place.

With your little tiny hands and little tiny feet

And little eyes that shimmer like a pearl

He breathed in you a song and to make it all complete

He brought the masterpiece into the world.

You are a masterpiece

A new creation He has formed

And you’re as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn.

And I’m so glad that God has given you to me

Little Lamb of God, you are a masterpiece.

And now you’re growing up and your life’s a miracle

Every time I look at you I sand in awe

Because I see in you a reflection of me

And you’ll always be my little lame from God.

And as your life goes on each day

How I pray that you will see

Just how much your life has meant to me.

And I’m so proud of you

What else is there to say?

Just be the masterpiece He created you to be.”

Braden James was baptized on Sunday, July 3.  As the Grandparent, and a chosen Godparent, I went into the whole experience with delight, and actually some trepidation.  This was to be the first time we were going to stand in front of our church family, and in essence the public, and declare that this had happened to our family.  I was prepared to have it be one of those events that all Lutherans go through….kind of a small rite of passage, without a lot of emotion or ceremony.  But I was wrong.

Braden’s baptism was profound for me.  Maybe the most profound experience so far.  My daughter, the one that I love the most in the entire world, stood up on that alter, alone as a parent, and responded with conviction about her desire to present her son – the one that she loves the most in the entire world – for Holy Baptism.  She thoughtfully expressed her desire to be responsible for bringing him up to learn about God, and to experience the wonderful Sacraments and Rites that she has already experienced.  I was completely proud of her and, once again, in awe of her courage and convictions.  I learn so much from her everyday.  And she chose strong, committed people to sponsor her son in Baptism.  He is a very fortunate little boy to have those awesome people on his side.

As was the case when I stood on that alter, alone as a parent, on one of the most proud days of my life, and Baptized my daughter, it once again came to me that parenting is not biological, it is emotional.  The physical act of parenthood can be accomplished by the majority of people in the world, but the emotional act is the part that requires commitment and selflessness. My daughter has front row seats to these differences. She is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to raise her child and she would move heaven and earth, scale hot coals, put him ahead of her in any situation (even if it were uncomfortable),  and gladly take a bullet for her son.  She is a Mother.