Born into Gratitude

When there is a baptism at my church, the reverend along with the newly baptized with their family and friends, process around the pews. The reverend dips an evergreen branch into holy water, flings it out to the crowd as says to us, “Remember your baptism.”  This brings me unexpected tears every time as I remember my own baptism, not the actual experience since I was only a few months old, but the story that was told to me about this day along with the pictures.

It was 1963 and I was baptized into the Catholic church by my father’s cousin a newly formed Franciscan priest, Father Bob.  It was his first baptism, so it made it extra special for him, something that he has always remembered. My mother and father were there, still so young with dark brown hair and smooth golden skin, holding me with what looks like such care, reverence, and joy.  Grandfathers Louie and Nunzio were there along with Grandmother Philly who wore one of those small flower-patterned hats that women of a certain age still wore back then.  My mother and father chose my father’s cousin Richie to be my godfather and my still so young teenage aunt Nancy to be my godmother.  So many of these folks are gone now.  Recalling them as I write this softens my heart with a still tender grief in the longing for them.  

There is one picture where all are standing around my mother who is holding me. This is family I was born into and who made a great effort to support and love me in my growing, enabling to be the woman I became.  To be held in gratitude and love in this world is the gift we give each other in families, friendships, communities, the work of care we are called to do. We come into being, grow and thrive, tethered to this holy web of interconnectedness.  Our birthright to receive and extend this care and love which though imperfect will be enough to sustain and create us.

This is what fills me reverence and tenderness as the reverend sprinkles the evergreen water onto my head.  I am recalled to the love that received me when I entered this world unbidden, unearned, defenseless and helpless.  I feel it holding me still through the decades, the disconnections, the deaths. I am pulled by the force of what has given me life, to extend it back out into the world, what I received, in any small way that I am able.