“Blessed is the mother with a good
son.” – Me
I googled that quote just to make sure I’m not
plagiarizing anybody. Although the sentiment is universal for all mothers, I
wanted a kinda sorta original one to mark my firstborn’s birthday. (By the way,
I’m doubly blessed as I have two of them.)
The gospel at mass this morning was spot on for Jaffy’s
birthday. I felt it was me, in Mary’s place, God was talking to. He is God’s gift.
And I praise God every day for the man he has become – godly, kind, loving, considerate,
and generous.
And of course handsome 😊
But don’t take my word for it. I’m naturally biased. Ask his
students and their parents. They just adore him.
What made the gospel more appropriate is that Mary was
entrusted to John. Jaffy’s real name is Juan Alfredo. It stemmed from my late
husband’s sense of humor. Since I had the difficult task of going through
labor, I assigned him to think of our firstborn’s name. His name is Alfredo so
the comic genius that he is thought of Juan (One) Alfredo – Alfredo’s first. For
our second son, he threatened to name him Two Alfredo if I didn’t come up with
another name.
But Juan or John turned out to be meaningful in the light
of today’s gospel. I was entrusted to a “John” when God took back my husband. As
a solo parent now in my “graceful” years, my sons are the ones who lovingly sustain
me just as John took care of Mother Mary. And with my younger son abroad, Jaffy
is the one who helps me with my daily burdens. Blessed be me.
Prayer for Jaffy: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the
Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
