Vanity: Hello, Au revoir, Slan go foill , See you soon

Siobhan | J+M+J 19 June A.D. 2002 | Siobhan

[Siobhan]

Dear Friends,

I wanted to let you know that my life has changed rather dramatically over the last two days. My husband and I have raised seven children to adulthood, and now thanks to a very sympathetic court we are adopting a 16 year old girl and her 2 year old son. She also is pregnant, and we will adopt her child too. It is a very long story that begins with us running into her in a grocery store as she was trying to get her friend (the clerk checking us out) to take her to an abortuary. God stopped that from happening by our intervention there in the market.

The Lord God planned it all, and after much prayer and counseling, divine mercy and graces falling on us like rain, we now have a new daughter and son with another child on the way.

This dear girl who is now my daughter was given the name "Summer" when she was born. She asked my husband and I to give her and her son a new name when they became our daughter and our son, and so we gave her the lovely Irish name Mairead (which suits her red hair and green eyes), and we named our new son Liam (when we call him "Liam" he smiles and giggles and comes running with arms flailing). He's a bright redheaded little lad, and it is clear that whatever Mairead's and Liam's ethnic background may be, they sure look Irish.

Originally we wanted to adopt Liam and the child Mairead is carrying. On the most tender day she asked if it would be possible for her to be adopted by us too. It took our breath away, and she told us very plainly that my husband and I were her parents when she needed parents. After counseling and prayer and fasting, we knew beyond our sentiments and emotions that this was something the Lord wanted too.

This has been very complicated as far as adoptions go, but the Lord has made the way straight in getting to this moment. The court proceedings went so smoothly Monday and Tuesday that I was all astonishment. And I am filled with profound gratitude to the Holy Family, whose intercession we sought from the beginning

I have only lately come to FreeRepublic because of my father (history-matters) who died recently. With the addition of children, I will only be able to check in on FR from time to time. I'm not saying Good-bye really. Just a see you later.

You have been so kind to me through my father's illness and death. Your prayers have sustained me. My sister Bernadette and my brother Kevin will probably be joining FR. You'll get to know the wonderful people they are I pray.

Please pray for us to the Most Holy Trinity, and ask Our Lady to pray for us and good St. Joseph.

See you soon.

Slán agus beannacht!

Siobhan

[Siobhan]

Lord Jesus Christ, thou good Physician, heal thy Church

Mary, Queen of All Saints, pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Mary, Queen and Mother, pray for us.
Good Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us.

[Siobhan]

More than a ping....

the ringing of cathedral bells!

[Miss Marple]

May God look after you all, and bless your new additions to your family. Please check in from time to time. Godspeed!

[rintense]

OMG, I have tears in my eyes. What a beautiful story. That girl has been blessed to have found such a caring couple as you. Gob bless you and your new family.

[goodnesswins]

WHAT a SPECIAL couple YOU are.....May God Bless YOU (I think he already has) and we are blessed by your actions too. And, you have blessed the lives of untold numbers by your adoption of these three.....THEY are SO Blessed by YOU! Prayers for your "NEW" life.

[Bahbah]

Dear friend, how wonderful. Amazing are the works of the Lord. You will be missed. Please stop by.

[PoisedWoman]

This is the best post I've read on FR. I'm touched to my heart and shedding tears of joy for you. Yours is a story of real faith, of applying your principles to your life. What a great example!

In a sense, you've adopted all of the FR Catholics and those of us who are thinking of returning to the church through your wonderful posts here. Please don't stay too far away.

Congratulations on your new family. May God bless you all.

[Gurn]

There is a crown waiting for you in Heaven. Bless you, oh good and faithful servant.

[Askel5]

You'll be in the thoughts of all who miss you and look forward to what time you can give us.

I do hope your sister and brother join.

I shall keep you and your newest family members in my prayers and hope that I'll always have your courage where it's a matter of doing God's will.

[Dales]

Good for you.

[kezekiel]

God speed to you and your family, Sister. May your love overflow!

[1rudeboy]

Teicht do Róim
Pilgrimage to Rome

Teicht do Róim,
Mór saído, becc torbai!
In rí chon-daigi hi foss,
Manim-bera latt, ní fogbai.

Pilgrim, take care your journey’s not in vain,
a hazard without profit, without gain;
the King you seek you’ll find in Rome, it’s true,
but only if he travels on the way with you.

Medieval Irish Lyrics. Carney, James trans. Dolmen Press Limited: Mountrath Portlaoise (IRL), 1985, pp. 80-81.

[DoughtyOne]

Congratulations Siobhan. May God bless your complete family.

[b4its2late]

There's nothing wrong with lurking, but if you have time, you can update us with this thread now and then......

[Carolina]

You are truly blessed and your witness has blessed us. God speed.

[AKA Elena]

I watched for your Da's postings, I "saw" my own Dad in his temperament (although your Dad was a bit more humble, I must say -- Irishmen to the nth degree, both of them) and both rejoiced for him and wept for you as he entered Eternity. I've come to "see" you as a better informed, sister to myself and have envied your prayerfulness. I know that you will not abandon us, entirely ... because we all need Siobhan and her banshee moments to steer us at times.

Now a question or two -- Maired ... is that pronounced MY-READ? I am sure that it is a derivation of Our Lady's name, but how does it translate, exactly?

Thank you for accepting my prayer offerings this week ... I feel very close to your family of all ages. I have taken a six year old grandson in need who lost his grandfather (who was his only "Da") virtually and factually while in his lap, while Charlie watched his soul go to heaven. Now ten years after he came to us he is a strapping 16 year old, steeped in his Faith beyond his years. I cannot imagine doing this again ... and could never imagine life without this child since my husband's death.

Keep in contact, Siobhan ... we welcome more family to the forum ... but your presence and that of Askel5, Polycarp, patent and Salvation have been a big part of growth for me.

May our Catholic Community grow and be the foundation for a vivid and active and successfully fervent laity in our Church.

May The Holy Spirit keep you tucked under his wings and help keep that Irish banshee in you ... under control whenever He is needed!

[katnip]

What joyful news!
God bless you and keep you all.
Don't forget about us here (but who can resist a 2 year
old, a new baby and a new 16 year old!)

[patent]

God bless and keep your family, Siobhan. You do His will here.

patent

[Sarah]

16, and 2 out-of-wedlock pregnancies?

Your a sweetie, but is your husband an angel or something?

Good luck, and keep your eyes open.