Gratitude flows constantly in my life.  From the time I wake up with usually positive feelings for the day, until I feel the cool sheets on my skin in the evening, everything that happens to me makes me feel grateful.  So it is natural for me to appreciate things all day long.  However, this past Sunday I had a huge wave of appreciation come over me. 

My daughter-in-law’s (present and future) come in all sizes, shapes and backgrounds.  I like that a lot.  Anyone who knows how I think and feel, knows that I celebrate the fact that while we were all born in different places, and raised in different cultures, we have more in common with each other than our differences.  The differences can be superficial, and subtle, or they can make us blatantly unique, giving us qualities that we can learn from each other.  However, either way, I see the differences as all positive.  “Take the positive where you can find it” is my daily thought.   

Now for the reason for this post.  Sunday was Madden’s baptism day.  It was a first for him, and a first for me.  I never saw a baptism or had any of my children or grandchildren ever been baptized.  Sure, I’ve been to church and have seen my share of ceremonies.  It is always positive, joyous, and always reflects love.  While I don’t relate to the messaging, I do see happiness for others through their affiliation with their religious beliefs, so I enjoy taking that in. 

So back to Madden, Mellanie and Mike.  Mell is from Brazil, Mike is Jewish, and Madden of course is a combination of both.  How does that work out?  Mell made it easy.  Madden was baptized, has a nanny who speaks Portuguese, and the books they read to him at bedtime are Jewish children’s stories.  Mell picked our daughter Caitlin to be Madden’s Godmother, and her brother Mauricio to be his Godfather.  Honoring both extended families, Mellanie and Mike’s thoughtfulness and pragmatism touches me. Teaching him who he is, and where he came from will be so empowering to him as he gets older.  Mellanie’s inclusiveness for everyone is creating a family closeness that everyone can share forever. 

I always hoped that my children would be a better version of me as a parent and as a person. It was always my goal as a dad.  So far Pat and I have five happy children, and four very happy grandchildren.  So I think wherever life takes us, we can take pride that all is good “in the house”.    With much gratitude I thank every day, who or whatever made this life so wonderful.