Feeling Loved (Warning: This one is Sappy)

I Googled my name last night. I'm not sure why. Actually, I do know why. I needed to take the garbage out and set up the dishwasher and I was doing everything but (you know the routine).

One of the places my name came up was in a PDF copy of "The Messenger", a newsletter from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olney, Maryland. At first I thought that there must be someone else in the world with my same name. Then I thought, No way, I'd better keep reading.

After the monthly spiritual message, there was a section called the Prayer list. In the title it said, "We continue to pray for...." and then had several subcategories. One subcategory was moms-to-be, and there right under the heading it said, "Dagny Kelsey, Kathy Randall's niece, due March 2011."

My Aunt, who lives on the complete opposite side of the country, who I haven't seen in probably five years, includes me in her prayers. That means a lot to me.

The whole thing made me think about one of my other Aunts. Right after I had Kate I had to be put on blood pressure medication. I had a lot of questions about the medication, but it was Sunday, my doctor's office was closed, and I couldn't get a hold of them. My mom suggested I call my Aunt in Wisconsin who is an OBGYN. As I called, she gave me so much comfort, answering my questions and giving me encouragement in only a way an Aunt could.

Once I thought of that, I was flooded with memories of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents helping me, loving me, and praying for me.

I am so grateful for the strong threads that run through a family that bind you to amazing people you wouldn't be connected to any other way. I feel so lucky that when I got married, my web of wonderful people doubled. I love my family and I love Christian's family.

See, I warned you it was going to be Sappy!