The Infants...

Every time I look at a new born baby I am amazed. The wonder of it all has never ceased to amaze me. I was a Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years. I never tired of the birth process. Although as a mother, I have gained great respect for the miracle.

My first baby was expected on December 28, 1968. I remember sitting and looking at the Christmas tree thinking, how in the world did Mary do this? How did she travel on a donkey to Bethlehem? I could hardly ride in a car comfortably.

Then I realized on January 6, 1969, Three Kings Day, how she did it. I became a Mother on this date, which is officially celebrated as the date the Thee Kings arrived to the stable to worship their King. Mary gave birth to her infant in exactly that same way I did. Although the time was different, the place different...... the birth process was the same.

I gave birth to my first born son in a hospital. I swaddled him in a clean white blanket. Mary gave birth to our Lord and Saviour, in a stable. She swaddled him in swaddling clothes. I am not comparing myself to the Mother of Jesus. I am simply comparing myself to another Mother who was delighted and happy with her newborn infant. Everything that she went through to deliver him was worth every pain. I feel the same way. Everything was worth it.

Mary was Mother to our Redeemer, the Messiah. I was Mother to a little red haired, baby boy, named Mark. Mary and I only have two things in common. We both gave birth to sons as our first born children. We both watched as our wonderful sons, died. We felt more pain at their death, than anything we ever suffered with their birth.

Mary gave birth to a son. She watched him die. I gave birth to a son. I watched him die. However, Mary suffered this pain of death, so that my sweet little boy may live again. Although, as she was caring for her son in the tomb, she did not understand that He would rise again. For three days, she suffered. Then on the third day, she watched as He rose from death.

Oh sweet Mary, I love you so. Thank you for riding on a donkey, for giving birth in a stable, and for crying at the cross of Jesus. For it is through your pain and through your Son, that my son will live again.

November 29, 2009-Welcome Kieran

Todd, Meet Your Grandpa....

My Dad, Grant S. Dial died before he was able to meet Todd. We were living on Whidbey Island, WA. My Mom and Dad lived in CA. Todd was born on December 1, 1980. Quite soon after, in fact, exactly 20 days after Todd's birth his Father came home and told me to pack. Our family was moving to the Philippine's. I was less than happy! However, this post is not about my feelings concerning this move.

This post is about a discovery, which I made today. I was able to post some new pictures of my Little Irish Three. Included in these pictures is a picture of my youngest child, Todd with his newborn son, Kieran. When I looked at this picture, I was absolutely startled. In all of Todd's life, I had failed to notice something very important.

Todd has my Father's eyes. Perhaps, I never noticed because Todd's eyes are more blue, and my Dad's eyes more green. In the large picture, which is posted below, if I hold my hand over the bottom half of Todd's face, I am directly looking into my Daddy's eyes.

My Dad died about 3 months after Todd's birth. We were moving to the Philippine's in March of 1981.

On Wednesday, February 18, 1981, I had an intense feeling that I was to go home to CA immediately. I called my Mother who told me that nothing was wrong. She confirmed that my Dad who had suffered most of my life with MS was doing great. Therefore, there was no need for me to come home at this time. She reminded me that we would be in CA in less than three weeks as we were stopping in CA to say good-bye to my parents on our way to the Philippine's. I was very insistent about my feeling of coming home then, I meant that day. Mama continued to say that everything was alright and that I didn't need to come home early. I was so insistent about going home, that she even had my Dad's Cardiologist, Dr. Ligouri call me. Dr. Ligouri told me that my Dad was doing fine. There was absolutely no need for me to come home that day. He told me that Daddy was well and that Daddy was excited to see my two new sons, Steven and Todd. Even though, everyone told me that my Dad was just fine, I never was comfortable. It seemed that March could not get here fast enough. I was so uneasy. I called several times within the next 36 hours. Each time, I was told my Daddy was doing fine. I was even told perhaps, I was having some sort of post partum anxiety attack and needed to call my OB for some medication.

Two days later on Friday, February 20, 1981, at six o'clock in the morning I received a call from Dr. Ligouri. Very softly he whispered, "Lana, I am very sorry to deliver this sad information. Your Father suffered a cardiac arrest about 30 minutes ago. Your Father has died." My Dad died exactly 2 years, 8 months, and 5 days after the death of my oldest son, Mark.

Jesus gave me the chance to get home and say goodbye to my Father. I was talked out of it. From that day forward, I have listened to Jesus.

So, why am I telling this story? I think that it is important. Not only am I blessed with a new grandson who will carry Marks name, but through Todd, I also saw the happiness in my Father's young eyes.

So Todd, meet your Grandfather Dial. He was a very good man. He really wanted to meet you, and almost had the chance. However, I did not listen.

Meet Kieran Mark...

KIERAN MARK ALLEN

November 16, 2009

Oh Lord, I do not ask for much,

Eternal Beauty, or youth, or such.

Just give me a little hand to hold,

And I'll Forget that I'm growing old.

I do not ask for cloudless skies,

A life that's free from tears and sighs.

Just give me a little face to kiss,

and anxious moments will turn to bliss.

For what is there, really, that means so much

As little hands that reach and touch,

As little eyes that search and see

Only the best in fragile me?

So let me grow more loving and wise

Looking at life through their wide eyes.

For through these little ones, you have given

This grateful grandmother a glimpse of Heaven.

B. Burrows

Busy, Busy....

One thing about being a Pediatric Immunization Specialist, you get pulled to work flu clinics. So, for the next few days and into the weekend, I will be very busy with extra duties. My department of health, is fighting to get at least 8,000 of high risk individuals immunized with our first batch of vaccine. I am very willing to work!

My blogging will be on hold for a few days. Unless of course, I get some new pictures from the Daddy of My Little Irish Three.:) Although, I know that he too is very busy.

However, when pictures do come, time will be found to post them. Hugs and Kisses from Gma.

My Little Irish Three....

My youngest son, Todd and his wife Colleen, are parents to My Little Irish Three, Kelsey, Owen and Kieran. I decided to develop this blog today, which is Keiran's first day of life. Kelsy and Owen, my first grandchildren were born on December 16, 2000. They are fraternal twins. I remember their first day of life like it was yesterday, and yet, it has been nine years ago. I remember thinking on their first birthday that Kelsey looked just like Wendy, my daughter, her Aunt. Owen looked just like his Dad, even to Todd's signature hairline.

I remember getting a call from Todd saying, "The twins are here!" My Mom, who was visiting for Wendy's Wedding, and I jumped into my truck and drove straight to Belks. We loaded up on blankets, sleepers, and little outfits. We had them gift wrapped, and then we headed straight to the hospital, which was about an hours drive away.

I remember how strange I felt looking at my youngest son Todd, and thinking that he had been the first of my four children to make me a Grandmother. I guess this is a circle of life thing. These sweet babies meant that my life had come full circle. I was happy with the beautiful Grandchildren, which my son and his wife had presented me.

Colleen shares that same name as my Mother. They were both born in the month of July. Kelsey and Owen were born in the month of December, the same, month that their Daddy was born. Now, my new little Kieran is born in the same month as my Father.

With each new Grandchild comes new hope and new dreams. Kieran, you are my sixth Grandchild, but I am as excited at your birth as if it was my first experience at being Grandma. I can hardly wait to meet you.