An infant baptism is a tradition of welcoming and inclusion into the religious community. Our congregational family welcomed you and promised to support and instruct you so that you may fulfill the promises made for you by your family and godparents. The greater celebration of your baptism was also built on traditions.
The dress you wore was first worn by my Uncle Louis in 1917, then by my mother, your Great grandmother Catherine, in 1919. I wore it for my baptism in 1950, followed by my sister, Marjie, in 1953 and my brother Andy in 1955. Your mother was the first of her generation to use the dress, in 1976. Then her cousin Bryan wore it in 1978, your Uncle Randy in 1980, cousin Katlyn in 1982 and cousin Erin in 1984. I had embroidered each name and date on the slip and will add your name now. Just think - my grandmother dressed my uncle in this dress almost 100 years before my daughter, your mother, put it on you. Hopefully it will serve more babies as well in the years to come. Who knows if you will put it on your child one day. 
The favors we gave to your guests were also steeped in tradition. Aunt Belén has been making cloth rosebuds for family celebrations for years. I remember as far back as your Aunt China’s wedding. I have a collection of several of her flowers in a vase in my bedroom. (We’ll add on
e of yours.) So it was only fitting that she made the tiny cloth rosebuds for your baptism favors. Your mother chose a pocket cross token and had the poem printed to go with it. She and I both carry a cross in our pockets that your great grandmother gave to each of us years
ago.On the sweets table we had traditional Venezuelan “dulces”. Belén made “cocadas” and “dulce de leche” and “mantecadas”. Nina made you “suspiritos” which she still makes by beating the egg whites with an old silver fork – no electric mixers used here. And the silver candy dishes which held the almonds and the M&Ms with your name belonged to your great grandmother Catherine.
+091.jpg)
And what could be more traditional than Harold Zavala – your godmother’s father – playing the piano. Harold played for years each January for a joint anniversary party which your Grandpa and I had with Tia China and Tio Luis. There is a legend that your mother and Tia Hilda first met in a crib at one of those parties. His music has been part of i
important events in our family ever since, and it was just right that he was here to play for you.
+091.jpg)
And what could be more traditional than Harold Zavala – your godmother’s father – playing the piano. Harold played for years each January for a joint anniversary party which your Grandpa and I had with Tia China and Tio Luis. There is a legend that your mother and Tia Hilda first met in a crib at one of those parties. His music has been part of i
important events in our family ever since, and it was just right that he was here to play for you.You took it all in and enjoyed yourself, passing happily from the arms of one to another, sleeping for awhile every now and then. It was a perfect day. We have so many pictures, from so many cameras. Someday you will remember this day through those pictures and those traditions which you will re-live many times in your life, and you will know that you were welcomed, accepted and cared for by so many people.
I almost forgot one of our more modern family traditions - Tio Luis' videos on YouTube to record important events:
The church
The party
The singing
No comments:
Post a Comment