Let me tell you a story- about Fathers

     Once there lived a man and a woman who fell deeply in love. She came from a family of 11 and he came from a family of seven. She says she fell in love at first sight and he never said it, but he did too. They came from the Depression era, where things have not been felt like that for a long time. They knew the worth of home and job and family, so they took great care in making sure their efforts as a married couple, had God in the center. Within this sweet marriage, they had produced already three children and the fourth was soon to be on the way. She knew the expectations and he was just as eager to welcome this "whoever" into their lives. As I'm sure you know, back then there were no ultrasounds. People had those sweet babies without even knowing the gender and part of the gift was being surprised. An option I took also, when I had each of my own four. The thrill of opening a gift!. Especially one as precious as a new baby is. Not that anyone would love any less than if you knew beforehand whether it is a boy or a girl, let's just say, that's how I wanted it too.

     Anyways, Jack, I'll call him, was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and I will call her Loretta, who was a doting and loving wife and mother to their growing family. Everything was going smoothly except for one night. Loretta and Jack and the family were sleeping, when Loretta thought her water broke. She leaned over to turn on the night lamp only to have the light show that it was blood, not water. Her scream woke Jack up and he quickly wrapped her up in an old dark blue Army blanket. It was like the ones that the Military put on their cots at their base. 

     Frantically wrapping her in this blanket and getting her to the car, her moans and sobbing overtook Jack. He said loudly, "where is your St Gerard?!" "Call on St Gerard!".  Arriving at the hospital, the doctor opens up the blanket to find not one drop of blood on her or the Army blanket. In total amazement, Jack and Loretta looked at each other and knew it was beloved Saint Gerard. Keeping this memory alive in thanksgiving always. Told to have plenty of bed rest till her time was complete, Loretta gave birth to a little toe-haired, Hazel eyed baby girl. The only blonde, green-eyed child of all five. The rest of the children had Brown hair, and Brown eyes. A miracle, just especially for Jack and Loretta.

     I know this story well because I use to beg my mother to tell it to me randomly, all my life. I am the toe-haired, green-eyed baby. I thank God everyday to have let me live to tell my story of our miracle. Thanks to the prompting of a good father.

     St Gerard was prayed to every pregnancy of mine. I should remember him more often as I have slacked off through the years because my children are grown with families of their own. I will remember to do so from now on. Through the prayers of my father and mother asking Saint Gerard to intercede, I'm alive and have come to know many fathers that have crossed my path. Good Fathers. Loving fathers. Who have loved me just like their own, making my father's absence a little more eased. I miss him so much. 

     Thank you Saint Gerard, good father to all families and especially to the pregnant mommies and babies throughout the world. Happy Father's Day.