Past... present... future

“I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realizes an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don't have complete emotions about the present, only about the past.”  ~Virginia Woolf

I have been in Milwaukee for the past five days, celebrating the baptism of our twin grandchildren, Ignacio and Cecilia—and the second birthday of their big sister, Elena Clare.

For two whole days, our entire family was together again, everyone under the same roof--for the first time since our two daughters’ weddings this summer.  We also had the added blessing of my parents and brother making the long 14-hour-drive to join us for all these celebrations.

What adjectives can accurately describe my feelings as I watched my 83-year-old father named Ignacio holding his 8-week-old tocayo (namesake) Ignacio?

I am not numb, but I am speechless. The present is so f-u-l-l! All I can do is take it all "in." Notice everything. Even as I remain unable to name emotions or describe feelings.

As 2012 comes to a close, I welcome the newness of 2013, and ask God for the grace to simply be open—and to notice, to be aware, to listen.

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been     the foresight to know where you're going

and the insight to know when you're going too far.  ~Irish blessing