Blessings and more blessings

This weekend was so special. Our family came from all over; LA, Fairfield and San Jose, and friends joined us for a sweet celebration. This was the day that Jonah was given a tender blessing by is father, my sweetie, at church. It is our custom to have a baby blessing for new sojourners on the earth, and usually the blessing is given to the baby by their papas. All the special men in their lives gather in a circle to participate; Grandpa, Uncle Chris, Justin, David, Bishop and Dennis. Guy blessed baby Jonah with strength and health. He said that Jonah would be blessed to be able to overcome his trials, for it was through trial that he came into this life. That he would be helped and supported by his brothers and sisters on both sides of the veil. Guy wept, I bawled, and tears moistened the cheeks of so many in in congregation. Guy had to wipe his face on the burp cloth he had taken up with him in case Jonah urped. I ended up using a onesie to wipe my tears.
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The only one who didn't cry, miraculously, blessedly, was Jonah. He started to rev up at the beginning and I just assumed I would be picking out my husbands voice from amongst the squalls, but he hushed, and only fussed for a moment once, when David smiled at him. It made for a great joke later.
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At home that afternoon, we celebrated with so many loved ones, there was barely room to keep them! We ate and laughed and told stories. Everybody washed hands and passed Jonah around. The germ-phobe in me stepped aside and made room for the part of me that believes that it takes a village to raise a child. This is my village. These are the people who have supported and counseled us, grieved with us, and now at long last, share in our joy and celebration.

G'ma and G'pa H with our kiddos

Supermom Auntie Kori with two of her 11 kids.

My brother Kenny, wife Tracey who I adore, three of their great and amazingly polite kids, and my Dad.


Uncles are great for putting babies to sleep. Kenny is so tall he makes Jonah disappear on his lap. .

Sweet Nicole helped with the food, and helped keep my nerves calm. I tend to stress when we host a gathering, wanting every thing to go well, and every one to feel content.

My studio was transformed (oh, and cleaned!) for the buffet table.

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The big kids, and...

the little 'uns.

I was sad when people started gathering their things and saying their goodbyes. It may be months before I see some of them again. Many, many months. And then there was the ever present reminder of those who were not with us... Julean and Zack (we missed you!), Mom, (she would have loved being around so many grandchildren. I can hear her voice in my head right now, saying "Please pass the baby!" as though he were the pepper), and my two sisters who live out of state and don't get out this way often.

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Soon the pile of little shoes was gone, and Guy and I walked across the grass after having said goodbye to all of our family almost at once. Steph and David stayed, and helped me transition between a houseful and a house nearly empty (funny that seven people in the house can feel empty!). It is too hard when everyone leaves at the same time. But I have to say, I have finally figured out the thing about spending special days with family and friends is that after the day is done, you still have the people you love, no matter how far away they are.

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(Oh, and I took Jonah to the doctor. I will tell you all about it tomorrow. Right now I need to sleep!)