I became a Godmother this week and it was an amazing feeling. While driving to the event in Connecticut, however, I was overcome with a feeing of confusion. Here I was on the way to a baptism that was 2 hours away and my cousin had only called me the night before. When I arrived I was told that it was an "Emergency Baptism" at the hospital. There would be another one in the church later on.
My cousin, Liz, gave birth to baby Trent in July and he has resided in the hospital ever since. Trent was originally a twin but his brother passed away early in the pregnancy; Trent's problems began there. Part of the remaining membrane fell on him and caused complications. When he was born he had club feet, an underdeveloped lung, and he was missing a large intestine. As a result he cannot eat on his own. He has been fighting his way through life since the day he arrived in the world. He is strong though, and he is holding on.
This was the first time I ever saw Trent and he was beautiful. He had bright eyes and chubby cheeks. He smiled enthusiastically when we entered the room. He didn't look unhealthy, he looked out of place. I reached out to him and he held my finger in his tiny hand.
Before the ceremony he was stripped of his onesie and covered in a baptismal gown. A large cross branded his chest. Trent's 3 year-old brother, Gage, sat next to him on the hospital bed. The priest spoke quietly and we mumbled prayers in response. Trent stared with curiosity and the priest moved the wires and tubes aside to rub holy water on his forehead. When the ceremony ended, Gage sat on the window sill and blew bubbles. The look on his face was somber even though I knew he was naive to the situation. Liz whispered to Trent that she hoped he could come home soon; she promised that he would one day. My heart hurt for her but I knew that there was nothing I could say that would offer her any comfort.
Before we left Gage climbed into Trent's bed once more and laid beside him. Trent rolled over to face his brother and placed his head against Gage's. They both sucked on the same fingers and the resemblance was eerie. We all sat in quiet speculation of this obviously meaningful moment. I took the image home in my heart.
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