Q: My granddaughter does not want to baptize her new baby. Will the baby go to heaven if it dies?
—Worried Grandma
A: Congratulations on your new grandchild! Life is such a beautiful gift from God. I know many people who would love to have children but are unable to. Likewise, there are many people facing difficult pregnancies or challenging circumstances once their child is born. I don’t know your granddaughter’s situation, but I hope her child is healthy. Your question jumps from the birth of a new baby to the possibility of death rather quickly. Is your great-grandchild in poor health? If so, I am very sorry for the challenges you and your family are experiencing and understand you may be anxious about religious matters.
I also believe when it comes to infants who are completely innocent and just beginning their life’s journey, they are completely wrapped in God’s unfaltering grace, love, and mercy. God desires joy, peace, and salvation for us all, even more so for the most vulnerable and innocent. Take comfort in how God has revealed God’s very self to us. A God who "is love" sustains all things in love. We have a very strong foundation for hope.
If your grandchild is in good health then, I have to ask, why are we talking about death? Now is the time to celebrate life! This is a new beginning! Your granddaughter is discerning her values as a mother. This is an important part of her journey. You may or may not agree with her values, but it would be good to lovingly listen to her, so that you might understand her better. Conflict over religious values will not draw you closer. Even worse, it could make her less inclined to spend time with you, and that could mean less time with your great-grandchild.
If you live your faith, your granddaughter will take notice. It can be a slow process, but remember God is present throughout. God guides each of us along our own unique path. Some of us have a difficult enough time trying to figure out our own path let alone directing some else’s path. Let God guide the bigger picture and take joy in accompanying your granddaughter and this beautiful new child along their way. There are many wonderful things you will discover together, if you are open to it. Enjoy the journey.
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Please join me in welcoming little Miss Everything, our very first grandchild–Miss Molly Hogan Abel, who was born Monday at 4:39 p.m. at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Mom Katie, Dad Mark, granddad Tom-Tom (heretofore known on this blog as Mr. Mary Kay) Uncle Andy and Great Aunt Jeanne have all gotten to see and hold her. I, sadly, am still four days from home, but my friend Margaret Maron assures me that they will not have kissed all the new off her before I get to her. My heart is just about to burst with joy!
15 thoughts on “Meet Molly”
Congratulations! What a blessing!
CONGRATULATIONS to all! She is absolutely PRECIOUS! This October, I am going to be a 1st time grandmother, too! I can hardly wait to experience all the emotions you all are feeling now!
Welcome to the world Molly!
congratulations! My baby is almost 15 months now, but he is my parents' first grandchild. My mom calls him 'her addiction!' Hope you enjoy loving on Molly as much as she has enjoyed my Rhett! 🙂
By the way ~ my name is Emilee and I work for Johnathon Barrett in Savannah. He introduced me to you with 'Savannah Blues' and I just can't get enough! I'm so excited to have you join us for the Savannah Hall of Fame in October! I might do all the bidding on that package myself! 🙂
Cheers!
Congratulations on your beautiful granddaughter! I know you are going to enjoy her so much. Can't wait to read lots of "Molly" stories.
miss molly will sneak in like a thief in the night and steal away her grandmother's heart by just curling her tiny fingers around yours……..nothing sweeter! congratulations and enjoy the gift of a new grandchild.
A Baby and a Book Tour. How much more can your heart take. What a beautiful little girl. I can tell that Grandad is already smitten.
Yea!
Oh my gosh!!! That's so exciting…I had no idea all of this was going on while you were at the Jersey Shore. 🙂 Congratulations!
p.s. I live *right* across the lake from Moonstruck, by the way.
Congratulations! Grand children are wonderful and a joy to have around, most of the time………Now you will have more inspiration to write.
Ann
Congratulations! She is beautiful! What is Little Miss Molly going to call you?
She is gorgeous beyond measure, and you will be without a doubt the coolest Memaw ever! Congratulations!
Congratulations!!
Enjoy her!!
Congratulations, now let me tell you about my grandchildren!! I believe that God gave us children so we could eventually have grandchildren. There is no other feeling like it. They fill your heart. She is beautiful and I will enjoy hearing about her little escapades – first smile, first poop, etc. Maybe another book about Grandmas and little girls.
Congratulations! Wow. She is just so sweet.welcome to the world Miss Molly! I am Sure She will be spoiled to death. What a lucky girl to be in a warm and loving family. We are looking forward to seeing Miss Molly grow up.
Congrats on a beautiful new Grandbaby. Love her name, especially since I'm a Hogan also.
Blessings to all.
In this new year, I’m excited about the upcoming publication of I Have Been Assigned the Single Bird, my latest book, and about my work as the incoming President of the Friends of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.
But for opening my heart, I’m counting on Asa.
Two weeks ago, Jeff and I traveled to Los Angeles to meet our 3-day-old grandson. The sleep habits of a newborn generally don’t align with those of his parents, just recovering from labor and delivery. So for a week, from 7 to 10 a.m. each morning, Asa was ours.
Our son David would tread down the stairs and hand over the tiny child into our care. It was dark outside, and the windows were gray. Asa would wake, look into our eyes, and then tumble back into sleep.
You could think of a million things to do to help a new family: start a load of wash, walk the dog, prepare breakfast. Instead, we took turns lying on the couch with Asa, and watched him surf sleep, quiescent to rousing to quiescent again.
He rose and fell on my diaphragm. My heart beat against his back. I studied the furrow where forehead dips into nose, found his mother’s face in the shape of his, and his father’s mouth. His brow lifted, and I noticed that his eyelids were still aquatic, puffy with the work of covering his eyes in the womb. His ears were perfect whorls. His face is a dish, the original receiver of connection.
Over the hours, the birds woke and the light grew and made patterns on the front door and the interior walls. The baby slept.
Jeff tucked the fleecy blanket over Asa’s shoulder. I hadn't seen it slip. We whispered in the dark about the shapes of our own newborns’ faces, but really there was nothing but this one now and here.
We wondered when he’d surface to demand his mother’s milk. Finally, his breath quickened, and he sighed and stretched his neck, the beginning of rooting for the breast.
I said: "Look, I think he is smiling!" Jeff’s opinion was that the baby’s face simply reflected the waking up of his digestive tract, so new to its work. Either way, in that child’s face I see inspiration and courage for the work we must go home and resume: to evolve with our species into better beings on this planet. For the sake of every newborn of every species, waiting for their chance to live.
Eight days after Asa’s birth, family and friends gathered in a sunny backyard for a traditional naming ceremony to welcome him into his human community. David and Hannah spoke, holding the baby swaddled in their arms:
We were drawn to the name Asa, an uncommon but not unusual name of Hebrew origin. Its simple, palindromic construction feels like a solid foundation upon which he can build whatever identity he chooses. We also were happy to learn that its meaning is ‘healer’ or ‘physician,’ as a family that values science and rationalism.
In choosing a second Hebrew name, Adam, we wanted to capture our desire for the well-being of the planet to play a role in our son’s life.
We, his grandparents, will help make it be so.
Love Asa already and thanks for your beautiful telling of your first hours with him.
This solemn welcome to our new fellow planet dweller brings joy and hope.
What a beautiful tribute to this new precious soul! And after the gift of all that time together, he will surely carry a deep memory of you forever.
Thank you, Sue, for sharing this intimate portrait of Asa Adam’s face and of your special moments of connection, spanning generations. What a gift!
Can’t wait to read your new book!
What a beautiful welcome into this world, Susan.
Dear Sue,
Congratulations on the new book and on Asa!
You’ve brought back a lot of memories of the delight, wonder, and promise of holding my newborn daughter and then my granddaughter and each grandson. I also look forward to holding and reading the new book in my hands soon.
Oh Sue, so beautifully written by a beautiful human! Congratulations on all fronts. Glad you are a part of this world!
Jill, thank you so much….miss you
Charlene, you know intimately how it is!! Book is still birthing, but written, anyway….
Thanks, Roberta❤️❤️
Thank you dear Tom!
When a child is born, we are not only reminded of but also experience a communion with the miracle of life at its most profoundest. May we all live in a way to live up to this ever constant miracle. Looking forward to your book and posts.
Pam, may it be so!
Such a privilege to witness his first days…and to ponder his life purpose….
Thank you, Pam. I know yoor grand boys fuel your climate activism, and that Asa, will push me to work harder.
You are with me every step of the way, my friend….
Ah, Sue, as I read your lovely words I was there with you! Asa is a lucky boy, to have you and Jeff, and his caring parents to surround him with all that is good in this world! I,too, look forward to reading your new book! Love to you!
It is so cool to see a new chapter in yours and Jeff's life, congratulations!
And we are enriched equally❤️❤️
Thank you, Raven, so much…
Sweet. How wonderful.,..the joy of creation and enjoying creation.
Glad for you all.
Here is nothing in our rhelm of life that compares to the birth of a grandchild. His life is your life. Congratulations!
As a grandparent, I have despaired for the future. Thank you, Susan, for a vision of hope.
Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your experience. The gathering for naming was so deliberate and thoughtful that already Asa Adam has character and strength. Congratulations to you and your family.
This makes me so happy and hopeful – both the prospect of your new book but also, and most especially, the reality of this tiny new life and the strong, loving, deeply committed adults who support him. Much love to all…
Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment in your and Jeff's life. AND love the picture of Jeff and Asa! A very happy healthy new year to all of you!!!
Very moving Sue. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful and intimate moment. Our one and only granddaughter, Thea, just turned two. We spend time with her most days and every moment remains precious. We are blessed by life. I’m looking forward to your new book
Susan, Thank you for this inspiration. I look forward to your continued blogging and new book! For all earth dwellers, may we heal each other and our planet.
Karen, may we indeed!
I think of you so often, Bob because you set aside your life down here to be nannies or year or so ago. Did your daughter move down here is that how you get to be with Thea?
Awww Sherry, thanks!
We are on the same journey, my dear oldest friend!
It was amazing, Joanne!
Thank you, Nancy! I know you work so hard for all our children…
I'm beginning to see that, Francie!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Sue for your beautifully written introduction of of little Asa into the world. If I were a thousand times better writer than I am I could express the joy I feel in meeting my precious new granddaughter Lily. Bless the babies.
Congratulations to parents and grandparents! And to Asa, welcome. You will soon love this world as do those who love you. And such mentors and such places to discover!
Wow, wow, wow. Such a beautiful child, and so beautifully written Sue. Thanks for sharing not only your words, your hopes, and also these great photos of you and Jeff with Asa. I have absolutely loved being a grand mother. It feels like getting a second chance to get some things right, and the wonder is rejuvenating.
Of water and on land, in trees, sacred herb, swirling fire, teaming sky and brilliant multitudes of denizens manifested — everywhere, eternal universes abide the All-Love…Asa…an incarnated welcome ! pure potential once more expressed… he is smaller than the smallest, and greater than the greatest…may his awareness and yours enlighten the ever afterward, joining the dance of creation changing around us in the hall of eternity…by such honor I now greet thee…
Such beautiful words on the birth of Asa. What a wonderful time for you and your family. Sending love and all good wishes for this beautiful child.
We’re back-up nannies now living in Rochester NY. 😊
Simply wondrous! Congratulations on the book, your presidency, and the wondrous Asa.
A new life and a new book! How can 2022 be anything but good! Asa is beautiful and so fortunate to have you and Jeff as his grands. Looking forward to your new book.
Lillian and Jim
Susan & Jeff,
Thank you for sharing the beauty & JOY.
Love extended….
Congratulations to all of you! I love the photo of “Captain Pop” with Asa 💚
Oh, how wonderful for the parents and you two! What a beautiful human baby and beautiful meangful names! We need you all and Asa Adam on earth.😘
Thank you sharing the wonderful tribute to your new grandson. May he be Blessed with God's divine love, grace and mercy.
🙂 Happy New Year. Happy new life!
One life at a time. Thank you for sharing these special moments and this message.
We are all Earth Beings.
Yes!
Thank You, Don.
Thank You, Cathy. It was so dear to be with you on Christmas Eve!!!
I know, Beth, me too! Asa is ALMOST as cute as those baby oystercatchers, right?
Back at you, Freddie! I always think of your generosity and kindness this time of year….
You and Jim are always modelling how to do it right, Lillian
May we persevere, Gail, right?
Judy, thank you so much!
Dave, thank you for your words of blessing…
You are such a role model for me Carol. Thank you.
May it be so, Marylyn!
Bless the babies, indeed, Rebecca!
Joanna, thank you so much!
It's a miracle, Elise!
Thank you, Sherry!
Dear Friend…..
Beautiful work of art. Thank you.
Aren't babies a wonderful way to start a person?! I've been thinking about how wonderful they are lately. I guess its due to all the new grandparents around me lately. i can see by your face and prose that you've been renewed thanks to Asa
Thanks, Geoff! You've got a nearly adult we all remember coming home as a baby!
John, thank you so very much.
May your new book and new grandbaby bring wisdom, heart and blessing to the world. And may we be ready to receive them.
Our first grandbaby was born April 4th, 2022. His name is Rafael Miko.
Congratulations on your new book and your new grandchild! May God Bless sweet Asa and his whole family!
Thank you, Janis, so much!
Thank you so much, Dawn!
Thank you for so eloquently expressing your experiences, thoughts, and hopes — for all things. You echo what is in our hearts. What a joyful time for y’all!! So much love —
Thank you dear Margaret, you mirror all I feel….
Susan, So many wonderful new things to start a New Year! Once again, our lives are on somewhat parallel tracks…stumbling into wildlife careers with FWC…and now Grandparents at the same time. Ross Gaudio Boyter (Ben and Carrie's first, and my and Tara's first and only) was born Nov. 26. So, we relate perfectly to your time with Asa. Happy times ahead, and I'm sure you and Jeff will be great influences in his life! Congratulations on all of your events for 2022.
Hugh, thank you so much! And how lucky you are to be in town with your little Ross. Carrie Gaudio was always a favorite of mine….