Welcome, Georgia Gail!

Isn't she a beauty?

She arrived yesterday morning by C-section at 10:47, weighing in at eight pounds five ounces and 20 inches long. She looks like her father's Italian side of the family, while her older sister, Olivia, favors her mother's German / English people.

Both girls are very much their own people, right from birth. Indeed, it was her sister Olivia who picked out her name. No one knows where it came from, but Olivia was pretty insistent that that was going to be her sister's name.

'Gail' comes from one of our remarkable and beloved parishioners who died in June (some will remember the sermon I preached for her funeral).

"GG" will probably be her nickname, which is the name of one of the beloved matriarchs of the church. Her grandchildren have always called her "GG" instead of 'grandmother.'

So, this little one is really tied into our church family in very significant ways. Her baptism will be a very emotional event.

One of the wonderful things about being a rector and pastor is that I get to go and pray with the family in hospitals before surgery and then bless the baby soon after the birth.

It is always a privilege and a joy. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be in people's lives at either end of the spectrum of life, at their most emotionally vulnerable moments.

So, join me in welcoming little "GG" into the world - into a family and a community of faith that began to love her the minute they heard of her coming, who will claim her as our own, and will love her into the whole person she is yet to become.

Some who are of a certain age, or like to channel surf late at night and watch the old movies, will remember Vincent Minelli's 1958 film "Gigi" with Leslie Caron. Maurice Chevalier sang 'Thank heavens for little girls,' and, 'Ah yes, I remember it well.'

Louis Jordan sang the title song. I wish I had MadPriest's powers to have music on my site, but I haven't figured it out. Yet.

Here's a song for newborn 'GG'- our newest miracle.

Gigi . . . am I a fool without a mind
Or have I merely been to blind to realize?
Oh gigi . . . why youve been growin up
Before my very eyes!

Gigi . . . youre not at all the funny
Awkward little girl I knew
Oh no, overnight theres been a breathless
Change in you!

Gigi . . . why you were tremblin on the brink
Was I out yonder somewhere blinkin at a star?
Oh gigi . . . have I been standin up to close
Or back too far?

When did your sparkle turn to fire
And your warmth become desire?
Oh, what miracle
Has made you the way you are?

Oh gigi . . . have I been standin up to close
Or back too far?

When did your sparkle turn to fire
And your warmth become desire?
Oh, what miracle
Has made you the way you are?

UPDATE from FranIAm. It's not "Gigi" but it'll do quite nicely, thank you very much. You'll have to point me to this resource, Fran. Thanks so much.



Here's Louis Jordan singing Gigi