By Mary Lynne Calhoun
This summer, I became That Woman. You know, the one with the goofy grin who not-so-secretly hopes you’ll ask to see pictures. On July 26 Isabel was born and Lawrence and I became first-time grandparents. Not only are we awash with love but the presence of this little child has reignited an investment in and hope for the future.
As Edmond McDonald wrote: "The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity but is still expecting good-will to become incarnate in each human life."
The late anthropologist Margaret Mead once advised that for happiness and optimism in old age, one should develop a personal relationship with at least one child who needs a caring adult. Such a relationship provides the older person with a clear, direct investment in the future.
To live out this investment, we must see each child - those known to us and those unknown - as a beloved child of God. We must act collectively and individually on the behalf of children so that they too have the gift of hope. In Advent, we await the birth of One who invited the little children to come to him. Let us join in this invitation.
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