Walk the Talk, Part One

So many things happening these last few weeks...
So many posts composed in the shower, in the kitchen, in the garden (but not on the computer)...
So many emails from so many wonderful friends still unanswered (please forgive)...

So, so many blessings!

Let’s start with the smallest one: Her name is Anna Elizabeth, she was born on Saturday, and I got to see her in all her sweet, pink, teeny-tiny loveliness last night. Oooooh, how absolutely perfect is a brand new baby? I turn into a big puddle of mushy baby-talk and tears whenever I see one. Now I completely understand why Christmas cards always portray Mary, Joseph and Company in a hushed circle around the baby Jesus, just gazing at Him in awe. Because -- in addition to His being the only Son of God -- He was, in fact, a newborn baby! And every baby is captivating in his or her own way. Every baby is a miracle, fresh-from-Heaven.

Little Anna’s name means Grace. And you know I cannot leave that un-commented on. It’s my very most favorite thing about God, the most powerful force in the universe and the only reason there is any Hope at all for the likes of me.

So immediately when I heard the name Andrew and Nicola chose for their beautiful baby girl, what ran through my head was the U2 song. Because it’s on one of my favorite U2 albums and because I’m a huge Bono fan. Because he Gets It. Because he’s doing the Right Thing for the Right Reasons and (in my humble opinion, and this is my blog, so that’s what you get) in the Right Way.

Speaking of Bono, have you heard that he’s editing the July issue of Vanity Fair magazine? (He even lobbied to change that issue’s title to Fair Vanity, but alas! that didn’t go over too well.) It’s going to be all about Africa. Please, somebody, save me a copy.

And speaking of Africa (as I often do because you know everything always comes back to Africa for me), stay tuned. I'm out of time today, but I’ve got lots more to say... tomorrow!

* * * * * * *
Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

(Music: U2 / Lyrics: Bono)