During our time together in Florida, we also gathered to celebrate the eagerly anticipated expansion of our family. My cousin Jennifer (Jenny) and her wonderful husband Tim are expecting their first bundle in 2008!
I was blessed to be able to attend Jen and Tim's wedding, as they did ours, and to be able to share in their joy at this exciting time in their lives is such an honor. Over the years we have built a wonderful relationship - and when we spend time together it is just about as much fun as any of us can stand.
Jennifer looked absolutely radiant; she is as breathtaking a mother as she was a bride.
My cousin Becky (Jenny's sister...which is probably the more relevant detail) and Jenny's mom (my Aunt Bridie...there I got the priority correct on that one) put together such a wonderful shower and brunch! Not one detail was overlooked.
Becky, Aunt Margaret and all of us took turns loving up the baby bump...and mommy, too!
Mommy and Grandma...a most beautiful bond.
As with all showers, we played games-and as with all Hogan activities, no one followed directions! But it resulted in lots of laughs and amusing nicknames for Baby Sanders (aka "Nifer")
There was laughter and stories of growing up....and as we sat sharing our family history, it occurred to me that Baby Sanders will learn to recite our stories by heart and they will become his own, and our cacophonous laughter will rock him to sleep...and I pray that our family is a source of strength for him as it has been for us.
There were all kinds of adorable and soft gifts. And Riley helped Aunt Jenny to get through all of her loot!
Well...what is MEANT as help often turns into a tissue paper party!
Clearly the guests had just a wonderful time....and we got some loot of our own!
And as afternoon broke, we continued on with our vacation and celebrated Jenny in different ways (mostly by running through roller coaster lines so that she didn't have to wait too long!)....but also in tending to her, making sure that she was comfortable and hydrated.
With people like Jenny, who are always so attentive to the needs of others, it is a pleasure and a rare occasion that one gets to reciprocate the doting.
We will always remember that day with fondness and love...but for now, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Jen and Tim's son. We already love him, and in some ways, we already know him. We know that he will have the beauty and compassion of his mother, the patience and strength of his father, and the support of his family. The magic is in not knowing...not even being able to imagine...what he will use that to accomplish.
1 comment:
Good Job! :)
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