I got to Mom's apartment at 7 o'clock in the morning. She had a few things for me to do before we left for Bob's house in Simi Valley-- A couple of "chores" around the apt. and then a little shopping and a permanent for Mom. We figured on leaving no later than 9:30. Everything went as planned and we were on our way on time. I thought we could stop every couple of hours to stretch our legs and grab a water. Highway 5 would be the quickest way to get to Simi. We wanted to be there by 3pm, visit a bit with Bob, and wait for Marilyn to get home. Then we would go to Mass, eat dinner, and I would head back towards home. If I didn't feel like driving all the way back, my intention was to stay at the apartment that U-Haul has set up for me when I work in Bakersfield, then drive home in the morning refreshed.
We got as far as the Westley rest stop when I saw the "Amber Alert" sign on the highway saying that there was a delay going over the "Grapevine" into LA due to inclement weather. I called Bob and told him I thought we would cut over to the 101 and come down that way, even though it would add an hour or two to the drive. At the same time, I wondered why there was inclement weather on the Grapevine when it was cold, but clear all the way to Kettleman City. Mom and I discussed it and we thought we would play it by ear. We ate lunch in Kettleman City and no sooner left the restaurant when Marilyn (my Marilyn) called and said that Alicia's water had broken and she was in the hospital waiting for our first grandchild. That pretty much made up my mind for me. I was going to go over the Grapevine. That way, I could get back sooner and be on hand for the delivery.
We got to Laval and the snow started coming down--mixed with rain first, then just snow. Lots and lots of snow. Several accidents were strewn all over the highway. I just took it slow and steady. Mom and I decided not to take any chances, and we recited all 4 mysteries of the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet, asking Our Lady for her protection from the storm. Yeah, you guessed it. Our "Mom in Heaven" came through again. Not only did we make it without any trouble, it was absolutely beautiful! All of that pure white snow made the drab countryside look as brand new as if God had just created it! We made it to Simi at 3 in the afternoon. I checked in with Marilyn and there was still no change with Alicia. But the CHP closed Interstate 5 just after we went through! (Thank you, Heavenly Mother!) So, I made the decision to go home via the 101. I figured it would take about 6 and a half to 7 and a half hours vs the 5 and half it took to come down, but I had to get back. While it was the right decision, it took over 8 and half hours--all the traffic that would have been using I-5 was now using 101! It took me 4 and a half hours just to get to Paso Robles! It could have been worse, though. Traffic coming back the other way was bumper to bumper for 23 miles! At least I was moving. I had my rosary to fall back on (as I always do) for the times I got frustrated. So I was able to say 3 or more rosaries when I got really frustrated and I felt better afterward. All I could think about was that Alicia was going to have her baby and I wouldn't be there. I took my vacation this week specifically so I could be with Alicia for the big day. It was So I kept asking our Lord to let her hold on until I got to the hospital. I finally got there at 11:30 pm. There was still no real change in Alicia's condition. I went in and kissed her and asked her how she was doing. She was in a bit of pain (naturally) but excited to get the show on the road. But Lily wasn't ready yet. Marilyn, Sarah, Marilyn's sister Carolyn and her daughter Frankie were there as well. After a few pleasantries we decided we were going to go to the waiting room and try to grab a few z's. Right. I was so keyed up, I must have walked 3 miles pacing back and forth, up and down the hallways and I said (I think) 2 more rosaries asking our Lord to make her labor easier. I tried to lay down, but no use. I finally got so tired I thought I could maybe get to sleep, but the minute I did, Sarah came and got me to tell me Alicia had permission to "push." You know, Alicia is my first baby and it was tearing me apart to hear her screams in labor. After about 45 minutes of agony mixed with laughter (at Lorenzo, who was making some really funny statements throughout the ordeal to keep Alicia's spirits up), I went to sit down and get away from the moans. Again, I no sooner sat down, than Sarah came to tell me that Lily was now crying! After shedding my own silent tear of gratitude with a prayer of thanksgiving, I ran down to see the baby. She is beautiful! It reminds one that, while biology plays a part, only God creates new life. Lorenzo was so excited! It was good to see him so happy and at the same time I think it hit him that he was actually a father with some pretty awsome responsibilities. He seemed nervous in his excitement. I think it was good for him to have so many of us there to support him and Alicia. He kept saying "Oh, my God!" I know he knows exactly what he was saying. He is a pretty devout catholic to be and knows who was really responsible for this life. Sarah, too, was holding Lily and saying, "It's hard to believe that this beautiful little girl was in Alicia's tummy just a few minutes ago!" She didn't come right out and say it, but she was acknowledging the fact that life is a gift from God. Things are good.
ps. I finally got out of the hospital at 6am this morning and decided to skip mass and go home to sleep. It wouldn't have been good to fall asleep in the middle of the homily! I got a couple of hours, then got up, took a shower and headed back to the hospital to see Lily, Alicia and Lorenzo again. When I got there, I was hungry and Lorenzo volunteered to escort me to the cafeteria so I could get a lunch. I know what he's been going through. There were enough women on hand to watch Lily. He is so tired (he's been up for almost two days now) and needs some masculine company...(unfortunately he had to settle for me! lol). On the way back from the cafeteria, we stopped in at the gift shop just to stall going back for a few minutes more and Lorenzo asked me, "How soon should we wait to baptize Lily?" I couldn't have been prouder. Being Catholic is truly a big thing with him (Thank God!). I told him the rule of thumb is to get her baptized as soon as possible. I reminded him that the Godparents must be active Catholics who will take the responsibility seriously, but to check with the priest when he takes Lily out to church the first time. He said Alicia and he had been discussing it already and thought they would asked me to be the Godfather and his sister to be the Godmother. I told him I couldn't think of a higher honor. More to come on this. Sometimes things change. They may actually have other Godparent options they haven't thought of yet. But I will be more than ready to step up to the responsibility if need be. The thing that I am constantly struck by is Lorenzo's commitment to becoming a Catholic...as Darth Vader would say, "The force is strong in this one."
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