The Easter Blessing

This is my niece Madeline with my parents on her blessing day. Isn't she adorable? She was blessed on Easter Sunday, so our festivities were spent with my family. I posted earlier about how there were concerns about Madeline's health, but never followed up on that. She has now been officially diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, and I want to get out some of my thoughts about it, but first a little bit about the Easter frivolities. All the cousins on Easter, looking great in their Easter best, except Gary and Emily's kids . . . it seems they were given new shirts from San Diego by their grandmother, and couldn't wait to wear them. Oh well, I still think they're cute, and I am amused that Josh is the gorilla amongst the church-goers.

A little egg-dying action. (Nope, can't wear a shirt for that.)

Noah celebrated Easter by crawling around trying to get people to feed him. Everyone obliged, so it was a great day for Noah.

The Big Egg Hunt.

Easter was a very sunny day, but even so Sophie and Josh found a puddle of water to play in. It was hilarious to me because the puddle was so small but they were determined to take advantage of it.

I was there, too! Here's Josh's bounty, and also his face while saying, "Cheeeese." I'm trying to think of a word that will bring about a different expression. Then again, I like this face.

Now a small digression. Madeline was officially diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis about 3 weeks ago. When my sister called to tell me, I started out by trying to list all of the positive things I could think of, but then just stopped and said, "This really stinks, though, go ahead and cry." So she did. And I did. I cried on the phone with Sarah and afterwards, because my poor little niece has a lot to deal with in life, and because my poor little sister was crying about her baby. I was able to dry my tears and have a fine evening, but then woke up with a start in the middle of the night. Josh has had a lot of digestive issues in his life. I have a 50% chance of being a CF carrier . . . could Josh have CF, too? I was gripped with panic. I shot out of my bed and ran to Josh's room to lick his forehead. (One of the symptoms of CF is that they taste salty. Licking the child's forehead is something parents are actually told to do when CF is in question.) Josh passed his 3 a.m. lick test, which should have made the whole thing amusing to me, but it wasn't. I was sad to hear about my niece having the disease, but the thought of my own child having it was a dagger to the heart. I realized at that moment that not only is my sister going through more than I can imagine, but that none of us can really know what others are going through unless we experience their sadnesses ourselves. To that degree, I want to be a better listener, a better helper, and extend more sympathy towards others.

Which brings me back to Easter. Although we didn't know exactly what was wrong with her at the time, we knew there was something. And as she was blessed that Easter Sunday, I felt a special significance in the occasion. Madeline's body has a lot to deal with right now, but it won't forever. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which makes it possible for everyone to have their body forever someday, free of problems. So in the long run Madeline's body will be as perfect as her little spirit. My sister and her husband are doing much better with this whole thing now, and we know that Madeline will have a great life, pretty close to normal. But whenever there are problems, we can be comforted by the promise that has been extended to all, that we celebrated on the day of her blessing. Someday all of the physical ailments will be gone and death will no longer separate us from loved ones, because Jesus Christ was resurrected. That is a reason to celebrate!