Her role

I'm not exactly sure what the role of a godmother is, nor did I plan to have any for my kids.

But when someone is praying for, thinks of spiritual details you yourself don't even think of for your own child (before they're even born), insists on being at the hospital the entire time labor is happening (starting at 3am) and beyond, at your house when you arrive home with your first baby, gifts you with a diamond necklace promptly after arriving home, and assures you that you're loved just exactly the mess that you are...I think they probably fit the description "godmother" just perfectly.

And so I found myself sitting across from Claire, for the 1000th time, at Costa Coffee, except this time trying to put into words- "would you keep caring about Christian like you do? Keep praying? Keep texting and asking how we're doing? Keep wanting time alone with him? Keep thinking of spiritual (and nonspiritual) details of concern and care for him that I forget? Keep spending time with me- listening to every gory detail of what it's like to become a "Mum" away from home?"

"Would you be willing to be Christian's godmother?" I awkwardly spewed out.



And nothing really changed- she just fit the description so well in my mind that I wanted to give her a title. Maybe then it would ensure that she'd continue in our lives forever. Even if we were to move back to USA someday.



And we did.

And she has.

And I started out Christian's birthday this year with thankful tears as I woke to this email from her (written from Scotland):

Can you read this to Christian and pray the prayer over him for me please??
Xxx

Happy Birthday Christian!!!
Miss you sooooooooooooooooooo much! I wish I were an active part of your life.
I think of you lots and pray for you.
I wish I was there to celebrate your birthday with you.
I have the fondest memories of the day you were born and wish your were around to make more! I see your lovely mUm's blog posts and realise how you have no memory of Scotland and how other people play the role I'd love to have played in your life.
However I pray that these aunties and uncles who are blessed to know you would teach you and bless you so much and that they look after you so well, providing you with further good influences on your life - as well as that of your lovely parents.
I pray for your parents, that they'd have wisdom to bring you up really well into the Godly man I'm sure youll become. I pray they'd know when to say yes and when to say no to the things you want as you grow. I pray that you'd always be able to communicate clearly with them. I pray you'd always know their love for you. I pray for protection for your relationship with them, and they with each other.
Most of all I pray for you - not only that you'd grow into a Godly man (though I do) - but also that you'd enjoy life just now as you grow; that you'd know God's love just now (as I've been praying from before you were born)... And selfishly, I pray you'd know I love you.
I'm always telling people about my Californian godson and how much I miss him.
Take care of yourself and have a great day, the 17th of December will always be a special day to me - however far away you are.
Much, much love always.
Auntie Clairexxxxxxxx
(your mummy should give you those kisses on my behalf.) xx

I mean really, I can't ask for much more. God is so good to us and our kids.

Thank you Claire for letting me share this!