Baptism Traditions

It was a day rich with tradition of many generations, yet it was also a day of firsts, as we celebrated the baptism of our daughter, Charlotte, earlier this month.

The baptism of Charlotte Grace Herschelman

I sat in the church pew holding Charlotte, who was wearing the delicate white dress that was made for my baptism 37 years ago by my godmother, Helen Cox. Trimmed in beautiful, white lace, the dress was also worn by Charlotte's sister, Grace, when she was baptized five years ago. 

Pastor Mike baptized Charlotte

She didn't seem to mind too much

 Each of us also wore a darling pair of white lace shoes, purchased by my grandmother, Nancy Galer. I would have to say that at each of the three baptisms, the shoes spent more time in pockets and on the floor than they did on any of our feet. But they sure were cute!

Okay, well - she may have been a little unhappy.

Our family also has another special tradition for baptisms, the use of a honey dish, which is a small, decorative bowl.  Not only was it used for both Grace and Charlotte's baptisms, but at least four generations of baptisms on the Galer side, including me, my dad and my Grandma Nancy. Now, I just have to get it back to Aunt Anne before something happens to it at our house.

Charlotte and her two great-grandmas

Although I was much too young to remember my own baptism, I know it's extremely special for my mom, because it was her dad, the Rev. Charles Hutson, who baptized me at his church in St. Elmo in 1980.

Herschlman Familiy

Herschelman grandchildren

 He passed away when I was in junior high, but I know he would have been honored to baptize my girls if he was still here.  And I know he was smiling down on the day too, as one of his favorite songs, "Sweet, Sweet Spirit," was included in the service. That's a song that my mom and her sisters recorded in their youth, and has long-been a family favorite of the Hutsons. It was included in Grace's baptism as well as on our wedding day.

Galer Family

But the biggest tradition we shared as we sat in our church that day was family. Not everyone could be with us, as my brother and his wife live several states away. But we were so fortunate to have so much of Kyle's family there to celebrate with us that very special day.


I set out this year to write my column about the firsts we've experienced with a new little one, but I felt drawn to write about tradition this month. And the more I thought about all of our family traditions, the more I realized that all traditions have to have a first time at some point, even if they were "firsts" long before I was born.

Our sweet family photo

As I carefully dressed Charlotte in the 37-year-old lace dress that morning, I couldn't help but miss all my grandparents, who were there to share in the day I was baptized. But I also couldn't help but smile, knowing the traditions they started were part of our family's special day. And I hope someday, Charlotte will be just as honored to carry them on too.

mlh

A Preschool Graduate

It's official! We have a preschool graduate in the house!

Our beautiful preschool graduate

After spending three years in our church's preschool program, Grace will officially move into kindergarten this fall. And as she moves into the next stage of her schooling, we feel very blessed for the experiences she had in preschool.

The graduate led the processional of her classmates.

Grace really enjoyed the music in the program.

Just before her third birthday, Grace had her very first day of preschool at our church. Although we met with the school district's pre-kindergarten program, we felt like the church's program three mornings a week would be a better fit for Grace. That way we could still take her to physical therapy in Springfield on Fridays.

Our little preschool graduate was all smiles.

All of Grace's classmates in the morning and afternoon classes signed a graduation puppy for her.

Grace had two different aides (Carla Bolton and Alex Carter) during her three years at the church, and we are so grateful to both of them for working hard include Grace in as many activities as possible. They helped her to create masterpiece paintings and art projects, read stories to her and just generally loved on her the entire time she was there.

Grace and all her preschool friends.

Grace and her proud preschool teachers.

One of the biggest highlights over the past three years has been the other students. It seemed like every morning we arrived late to school, but some of her friends were always waiting to greet her, genuinely excited she was there to share in their day.  During free play time, they held puppet shows for her, played house with her and just really looked out for her. Mark my words, those kids are going to be the real heroes of the world someday for their kindness and compassion.

Mommy and her favorite preschool graduate.

Grace and her proud grandparents.

All of our adventures came to a culmination this week at Grace's Movin' Up program. When I dropped Grace off at school that morning, her teachers told me they had some surprises in store, and I told them I would probably cry. 

Grace looked just beautiful in her Easter dress, with a necklace and bracelet as accessories.  We dropped her off in her classroom and made our way to the sanctuary to find our seats.  Both sets of our parents were already there, so we joined them.  

Grace on her very last day of preschool.

Kyle and I both had a little trouble before the program started. For me, it's hard not to wonder what type of personality Grace would have if INAD hadn't stolen so much from her.  Would she be the kid singing loudly and dancing around the front of the church? Or would she be the quieter one, more reserved, even though she knew all the words by heart? It's a little bittersweet, not ever having heard Grace sing Jesus Loves Me with all her friends.

Charlotte and I joined Grace on her last day of preschool.

So as the program got ready to start, I felt my eyes fill with tears of sadness for all the things I felt like i had missed out on over the years. But as the kids began to file in, our friend, Mindy, carried Grace up the aisle in her graduation cap, and I beamed with pride for how far Grace has come.

Grace's friend Lauren blew bubbles for her.

Throughout the program, I kept my eyes focused on Grace.  Even though she got hot and sweaty in the church, you could tell she enjoyed being a part of the program.  She smiled during some of her favorite songs, and even though I still wish she could sing the songs, I also know she's a very big part of the program in her own way.

Charlotte helped lead the final songs at circle time.

When it came time to recognize the kids, they presented Grace with her preschool graduation certificate and a graduation puppy that all the kids and teachers had signed. I think her teachers were just about as emotional as we were.  I'm so grateful for the love and support they have shown to Grace over the past three years. 

Grace has always loved music time!

After the program was over, Grandma Susie gave Grace and her cousin, Isabel, flowers and a balloon for doing so great. We also had lots of time for photos before leaving one last time.  

Later that night, Grace's aide texted me and asked if Charlotte and I wanted to spend the last day of preschool with Grace, and we happily agreed. It was a beautiful day, and the teachers had set up stations outside.  Grace loved the wind in her face, and her friend, Lauren, even blew bubbles for her. Then Grace and I shared some ice cream on her very last day.

Grace's friend Dahlia came to visit on her last day of preschool.

There were lots of hugs, and maybe a few tears as we packed up to leave, but we will always have the memories (and lots of photos) from Grace's preschool experience.  It means so much to us that neither the teachers nor the students treated Grace any differently than they would any of the other students.

Final family photo at preschool.

Before the week ended, we had a meeting with Grace's new school, and she got to meet her kindergarten teacher. I was a little nervous as this was a much different setting than the preschool. But it didn't take long to realize how excited everyone there was to see Grace. We got stopped in the hall by everyone we met. They all stopped to talk to Grace and tell her how excited they were she was coming in the fall.  It's a pretty neat feeling to be the mom of the coolest kid in the school.  And I know the staff at Beckemeyer will take just as good care of Grace as at her preschool. I can't wait to walk her to school on the first day!

It may be the end of Grace's preschool days, but we will cherish the memories. From the zoo field trips to the Thanksgiving program with thankful soup, we have enjoyed every minute celebrating Grace's successes with her friends. And for that, we will always be grateful.

After finishing preschool, Grace got to meet her new kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Paden!

Next stop . . . kindergarten!

mlh

Just Keep Putting

Fore! I'm not much of a golfer, but I do know that those golfing around me should probably keep their heads up for their own safety.  

For the third year in a row, Grace was asked to be the honorary starter at the Indian Springs Invitational golf outing, a very competitive tournament in our area. Although the tournament starts very early in the morning, organizer Jim Odle is gracious enough to let Grace come and start the second half of the tournament after lunch. No one in our house is really an early morning person, so that works out great.

The golfers held a 50/50 drawing to raise money for INAD research.

The first year, Kyle helped Grace to sink her putt on the practice green, but he was sick last year, so I was the stand in.  Fortunately for me (and Grace), they let us putt pretty close to the hole.  And I got to help Grace once again this year.

Hanging out with Jim before Grace's big shot.

We met mom and dad at the golf course for lunch, cooked up by club owners Wade and Natalie Fuller.  Lunch was delicious, and we enjoyed visiting with some of the golfers as they made their way in for lunch.  After everyone gathered back in the clubhouse, Jim asked Kyle to say a few words about our journey and invited golfers to participate in a 50/50 raffle for INAD research or simply to donate.  One golfer even gave Kyle $50 to take me out to eat, and the Fullers gave us 10% of the proceeds from the tourney.  We are so truly blessed.

Grace and I attempting to sink our putt.

Everywhere we go, we are so grateful to share our story and help raise more awareness for INAD.  The golf tournament alone has raised more than $2,500 in the last three years.

Jim congratulated Grace after finishing her two-putt.

After we finished greeting the golfers, we headed out to the putting green, where Jim gave her one of his personalized golf balls. He said he will give her one every year she comes out.  Kyle is hoping to paint the putter Jim gave her last year purple before next year's event as well.

Posing with the golf star!

Kyle grabbed the camera, and I sat Grace on my knee.  Even though Jim put her ball very close to the hole, it still took us two putts to make it. But it just goes to show that even if it doesn't happen on the first try, you should never give up.  Grace teaches me that lesson over and over again all the time.  Her strength and perseverance in physical therapy every week remind me that we should always keep trying.

We were so glad that Grandma and Grandpa Galer could come too!

So we do. There are many dark days on this Grace-filled journey, but friends like Jim Odle and the golfers at Indian Springs certainly make for some bright times. And remember to keep trying, even if you miss the putt.

mlh