A post long overdue and not as well done as I'd like it
I have written this post in my head about a dozen times these past few weeks. It is difficult to say why I am having such trouble sitting down to write it. Maybe my problem is that it feels almost as if I have reached a last chance to share something so big, so miraculous, with anyone.
Not so very long ago, I was going through a sorrowful time. The dream and hope of another baby was gnawing away at me, dominating all my thoughts. Month after month passed, and I began to realize that, at age 40, the new-baby-phase of our lives might very well be over. (Hope this isn't sounding selfish or silly--it probably does, so please forgive me.)
One day, I was tidying the dining room--shifting clutter from one place to the other as usual--when I found a bag of religious articles purchased months ago. I smiled to see a handful of round flat coins depicting the Holy Family, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph, and others, remembering they had been meant for use in our miniature wayside shrine craft. Long forgotten, the pretty round coins had been left on the windowseat, awaiting a future "sort and rescue."
Among the coins was one image that interested me in particular. I could not remember it at all, though it did not surprise me that I would have purchased it. It was St. Padre Pio, smiling and holding the Christ Child on a little pillow. Having spent a great deal of time praying for a new baby through the intercession of St. Pio, this was significant to me. I had never before seen him shown with the Christ Child (St. Anthony, yes, but St. Pio, no), and I began musing to myself that it was as if he was presenting me with a baby on a pillow. Flipping the coin around, I read his familiar words of advice, "Pray, hope and don't worry!" It gave me such a warm feeling inside, a little gleam of hope and lightness.
Still clutching the coin in one hand, I moved into the kitchen. A great deal of noise was coming from the den, and I could hear Margaret calling to me, "Mom! Marie knocked your picture off the top of the cabinet!" Nothing about this was unusual--stuff is always being batted around in our house. I wouldn't have paid much attention to the report, except that Margaret charged into the kitchen with Marie at her heels to hand me the fallen picture. It was a small image of Padre Pio, his hands clasped in prayer. At this point I laughed outright, much to the confusion of Margaret and Marie. I offered a silent prayer to St. Padre Pio, once again asking his intercession for a new baby.
Now I know to some, these two nearly simultaneous occurrences might seem like a coincidence--and a minor coincidence at that--but they dispelled some of the gloom of my mood that afternoon, reminding me that there is always hope.
About two weeks later, we found out to our great joy and gratitude that we are indeed expecting our eighth child, a gift it would be impossible to describe in words. The first day I was able to test was May 25th:
St. Padre Pio's birthday.
So that is my news--we have a new baby on the way! Sorry it has taken so long to tell. Thank you to all the friends who were praying for us. [I was at the top of the list to the left for quite some time.] God is good!
Oh Dear Alice! :) What wonderful news! You are in my prayers friend. What a wonderful story. I have had a few particular Saints literally carry me through a few pregnancies. God love you Alice!
Posted by: Libet | July 30, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Alice,
I rarely comment but I always check in here. Today I just have to say that I am so very happy for you and your family!
Posted by: Jeanne | July 30, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Alice,
You told it wonderfully! And I feel so special that you had shared the Padre Pio prayer with me for my niece. Still praying for her!
Posted by: ChrisV | July 30, 2008 at 06:38 PM
How wonderful! Congratulations, Alice, and thank you for sharing about the amazing intercession of St. Pio!
Posted by: Alicia | July 30, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing such an amazing story. It was so wonderful and uplifting. Prayers for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Posted by: Cassidy | July 30, 2008 at 06:43 PM
What a wonderful story Alice, and congratulations on your new blessing!
Posted by: Christine M | July 30, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Oh Alice! I am so full of joy for you! Infact you would laugh to see me now, I have tears running down my face! Perhaps partly because of your wonderful news and partly because of the beautiful prayer you linked to.
What a blessing for this new child to be entering your lovely family.
Posted by: patience | July 30, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Congratulations, Alice and family! You and your family are in my prayers. Padre Pio is very special to me.
Posted by: Christine | July 30, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Alice, this was beautifully told - and CONGRATULATIONS! I am delighted for you!
Posted by: Beck | July 30, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Oh, Alice!!
I just got your [wonderful, by the way!!!!] book today,and noticed that it said you were expecting your eighth child.
I immediately had two thoughts: Whoa, what did I miss??? and Wait a minute, how old is Eileen? Has this book been in the works as long as that? Then I counted your kids three times. (I'm a little slow on the uptake, I guess.) :)
I have to laugh, though. There have been so many posts like this in the circle of blogs I most love lately, that I now think I know the answer to that obnoxious question, "Don't they know what causes that?" Sure: it's blogging!!!! :) :) :)
What wonderful and exciting news -- and what a wonderful story to go with it. Congratulations -- to both you (your whole family!), and especially the lucky little baby!
Posted by: Eileen | July 30, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Oh Alice, what could be 'not as well done' about the most blessed news on earth? Beautiful story of beautiful news! We know those 'little things' never are little. Congratulations and you know we are thrilled for you! xo
Posted by: Kimberlee | July 30, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Dear Alice,
I loved reading this beautiful post! I loved reading that stuff in your home gets batted around. I have this delusion that my house is the only one prone to mishaps.
I loved reading that you move clutter from one place to the next, as another delusion I have is that my home is the only one with clutter moving from spot to spot.
Whether it is a kind comment on my frequently neglected blog or an inspiring post on yours, you have such a way of always bringing me comfort through my internet connection!
I cannot believe for even a nanosecond that St. Padre Pio's 'presence' in your life for the sake of your wonderful new Sweet Treasure is only mere coincidence. Count on my prayers for you through the intercession of St. Padre Pio, Dear Alice. Yes! Pray, hope, and don't worry!
Posted by: kristina | July 30, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Wow!
Posted by: amy | July 30, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Congratulations Alice! This is such wonderful news! :))
Posted by: Cheryl M. | July 30, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Praise God!
Posted by: +JMJ+ at TotusTuusFamily.blogspot.com | July 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
It's really in those moments of total surrender that God and His saints are most open to hearing our prayers. Congratulations! As one who has a particular devotion to Padre Pio, I must say that I am hardly surprised...
Posted by: Nadja Magdalena | July 30, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Congratulations!! What wonderful news!!
Have you been the to shrine of St. Gerard in Newark NJ?? I HIGHLY recommend a pilgrimage if you have never been before.
And just a little aside. My mother in law met St. Pio when she was a child in Italy!! She says she can still remember the smell of roses around him!
Posted by: Jamie | July 30, 2008 at 08:38 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Alice!!!!! I don't think any of those things (including the day you tested) were coincidences at all!
Posted by: Kim | July 30, 2008 at 08:52 PM
What wonderful news, Alice!! And a beautiful story. :) Thank you for helping me keep my faith "up". Many prayers coming your way for a healthy and uneventful pregnancy!
Posted by: Amy | July 30, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I have had faith affirming moments like those (I call them my "signs"). If those had happened to me, I would have certainly felt that there were "signs" that my prayer were being answered in some way or another. Congratulations!
Posted by: Sharon | July 30, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Great big wonderful congratulations!! I am so pleased for you and yours!
Posted by: helene | July 30, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Hooray!!! Congratulations! And thanks be to God and to St. Pio for his intercession. What wonderful news. And a beautiful story too. But then you always seem to be able to make everything into a beautiful story. I'll be praying for a safe-- and easy-- pregnancy and delivery.
Posted by: MelanieB | July 30, 2008 at 09:33 PM
I am so happy for you and your family! I will keep you all in my prayers, especially your littlest blessing! :)
Posted by: Rebecca | July 30, 2008 at 09:39 PM
What wonderful news! God's blessing on you and your growing family!
Posted by: Jane | July 30, 2008 at 09:49 PM
What a beautiful story! Congratulations on your wonderful news. I will keep you in my prayers....
Posted by: joann10 | July 30, 2008 at 10:05 PM