Violet's Birthday

Violet Anne Tripp will turn 2 on Wednesday, April 14! What a busy 2 years. I still remember so vividly Andrea calling me and telling me her water had broke, which actually happened on April 13.

This time of year brings so many emotions to my family.My brother, my parents only boy, died on April 1, 1953. My Dad died on March 29, 1986. Even though I wasn't born when my brother died, his life and death had an impact on my life. I have three sisters that I love so much. But I always missed having a brother. In 1986, when I was expecting Amanda, my Dad died unexpectedly.

We also have birthdays to celebrate during this time of year. Ron's birthday is March 30. And of course, the most beautiful holiday, Easter happens during this season. We can celebrate the gift of a risen Savior! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing praises. It is such a beautiful time of year. The saddness of the loss are tempered by the celebrations of birth and the new life offered by the sacrafice of Jesus.

2008 comes along and my daughter is expecting a baby girl and my mother is in hospice care. Early in the morning of April 13, 2008, my mother passes. I had sat with her the previous night, watching the sun come up, not expeccting her to live another day. I think she was waiting for her girls to arrive from out of town. Ann drove in from Baton Rouge and stayed with her the last night. My mother passed away early in the morning.

My sisters and I meet at the funeral home to make the final arrangements, and Andrea calls and tells me her water has broken, she is heading to the hospital.

At first, I thought, OK, that is fine, the baby is ready, a little early, but not too bad. Then I have this panic attack, my granddaughter will be born on the day my mother passed away. My panic overtakes me in a burst of tears, fear, saddness, exhaustion, all of these emotions come pouring out.

We rushed to the hosptial expecdting to meet Violet Anne soon, knowing and praying that all will be well. And telling myself that it is perfectly acceptable for my granddaughter to have the same birthday as the death day of my mother.

Well, God in his wisdom, gave Andrea this unbelievably long labor! 33 hours!! And her dear doctor let her labor for 33 hours. No one should labor that long. And no grandmother that has been at hospice for 3 days should spend 33 hours waiting to meet a grandbaby. But it was such a sweet special time. Violet's extended family came from out of town and out of state due to the circumstances. We camped out in the waiting room with three children, Veronika, Jackson and Tucker all waiting to meet Veronika's newest little sister.

So Violet has her own day, April 14, as her birthday.

We get to celebrate Violet's birthday, enjoying the sweet girl that she is. Beautiful blue eyes, sometimes she is shy, sometimes she smiles at strangers, sharing a little happiness with them. She calls me "Dodo", instead of Dodi, and she says it so sweetly. Violet Anne is named after my sister, Violet Ann. They share a beautiful name with my grandmother, Violet Blossom.

What a wonderful God that blesses us with new life! Violet is a  blessed little girl! And we are blessed to have this little girl in our life!

Happy Birthday Violet!