Maryanne

I am pregnant again and this time I switch obstetricians. There is another pro-life female doctor delivering babies in Toronto so I go to her. Her name is Dr. Jubb. She is a faithful Catholic, friends with my previous doctor, Dr. Morris. Apparently, Dr. Morris had considered becoming Catholic - switching from her Jewish faith - but Dr. Jubb had discouraged her...You'd never make it with that nose, Heather....Now it is time for a late-pregnancy appointment. I walk into the office and - oh no!- it is Dr. Morris, filling in for Dr. Jubb. She looks at me and says, you can't get rid of me, can you? I chuckle nervously. In any case, all is well. The baby is fine.

The big day arrives but I am in no hurry to go to the hospital. Someone comes to care for the children and I go upstairs to the boys' room where I lie down on their beds and use my breathing exercises. I am much more comfortable here at home - the environment is warm, with gentle light, and comfortable. Finally I know I can't wait any longer. Dad gets me into his big, red truck and we drive down Yonge Street to Women's College Hospital. Things progress quickly, and in no time I have a tiny baby girl in my arms...Mom, we have had the baby and this time its a girl...Oh, Barbara, how lovely. That is quite an anniversary present to give us....And it was. We name her Maryanne Ruth. Maryanne is, loosely, after Dad's favorite old cousin, Mary Coghlin. Ruth is, of course, after Mom...The first time we see Mary after Maryanne's birth, she has moved to an old folks' home. She takes the baby in her arms and displays her to everyone she possibly can...Look, she's named after me! What a gift we have given her, as well...

A few days after we get home from the hospital, it is time for the boys to begin school. Andrew is entering Grade One at Toronto Central Christian School and Tim will go to Junior Kindergarten at our neighbourhood school. This means that, most of the day, I have just Maryanne at home with me. I make good use of the Snugli someone has lent me and, everywhere I go, she goes. We are a pair. I can't drive so I do all my shopping locally. When all the children are home, Maryanne goes into our big carriage, Tim sits at the foot, and Andrew trots along beside me. In the grocery store, I can't handle a cart, so I pile groceries up all around the two little ones, and on the bottom rack. I get them bagged and somehow we always manage to get home without incident. One day when I am waiting in line to pay for my food, an older woman looks at me....Do you know these are the best years of your life? Nothing will ever be as delightful as this time. Make sure to enjoy it. One day it will be gone - so quickly - and you will miss it...Yes and yes...

When Maryanne is about two, all the children get chicken pox. At last they are on the mend and there are just a few scabs left on her face. I most carefully pull a t-shirt over her head and -oh no!! - I knock a couple of them off. Now she will have scars on her forehead. It takes me many days to forgive myself for that. But they fade over the years and become almost invisible.

She grows into a feisty and determined little girl. Don't mess with me. And not too many people do...Still, her interests are traditional and feminine in most ways. An interesting mix!

As the years pass, I notice something very interesting. My daughter is, in many ways, a gentle person. And becoming gentler. As she begins to serve Christ in a mature and consistent way, many friends gain solace and wisdom from her...In college this only increases. She not only works hard, but blesses many as counselor and confidante.

Then comes marriage. And children....And parents. And siblings. And neighbors. And who works harder than Maryanne at trying to make it ALL work just the way it should? With her old determination. And feistiness. But much gentleness. And passion. And sensitivity. And integrity. And complete commitment.

Maryanne, you are a faithful and lovely Christian woman. I am proud of you. I love you.
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