Early morning blessings...

Joseph holding Prescott

Our first morning home from the hospital, Prescott is just over 30 hrs old, and Jon and I are exhausted. All three of us are sleeping soundly (a rare occasion) when the phone rings at just before 7am. Neither of us care who it is - easy decision to ignore it. When it rings a second time a minute later, we are a little more hesitant in deciding to ignore it but neither of us is willing to climb out of bed into the 50 degree morning air. Less than two minutes later there is a knock at the door. Annoyed, Jon crawls out of bed, dons some clothes, and goes to answer the persistent knocking.

It is Joseph, our neighbor and priest. Joe laughs, "So, you are choosing to ignore your phone this morning." Jon explains that we are tired and still in bed, trying not to show how annoyed he is. Before I know it Jon and Joe are back down the hallway and in our bedroom where Prescott and I are huddled under the covers.

Joe apologized for disturbing us so early but said that it was customary for a priest to visit new babies on their first morning at home in order to bless them and pray for them. Joe stood over our bed and read some Scripture passages before praying for Masimo. He thanked God for the gift of new life and prayed for a lifetime of blessing and faithful service. Even in the cold at 7am it was moving. What a gift!