The Twelve Days of 40: Part 10/13

Summary

The author reflects on the unforgettable experience of becoming a godparent and witnessing his goddaughter's baptism, an event that reinforces his values and hope for the future.

Abstract

In "The Twelve Days of 40: Part 10/13," the author recounts the significant moment of his goddaughter Moon's baptism, ranking it as the fourth most unforgettable day of his life. The day is not only a milestone in his journey as a godparent but also a profound lesson in faith and responsibility. Despite initial anxieties about his role in Moon's life, the author has grown close to her, finding common personality traits and a shared appreciation for creativity and solitude. The baptism, set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a family-only affair that strengthened his bond with Moon and his family. This experience has reaffirmed the author's belief in the power of kindness, love, and faith in a complex world.

Opinions

The author values the role of godparent and the responsibility it entails in helping to raise a child.
Moon's baptism is seen as a symbol of hope and goodness in a world perceived as increasingly complex and less integrity-driven.
The author cherishes the shared introverted and creative nature he has with his goddaughter, finding it both cool and significant.
Despite global challenges such as the pandemic and societal issues, the author maintains optimism and emphasizes the importance of acting with kindness and integrity.
The experience of the baptism and being a godfather has contributed to the author's sense of self, shaping him into a content and hopeful individual.

The Twelve Days of 40: Part 10/13

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash

You have likely heard the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” at some point in your life. “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…” Blah, blah, blah. Et cetera. So on and so forth.

To celebrate my 40th birthday scheduled to take place less than a year from now, I would like to look back at the 12 most unforgettable days of my life (plus one honorable mention). They have all made me the person I am today: an imperfect, yet perfectly happy husband, father, son, brother, and human being.

It would only make sense to start at the bottom of the list and work our way to the top. So, without further ado…

No. 4: Witnessing my goddaughter, Moon, receive the sacrament of baptism.

The day was a lesson in faith…

Moon is my three-year-old goddaughter. She and her mother, Quetzali, live with my wife, Kay (Quetzali’s older sister), one-year-old son, Mateo, and me. That might be a lot of information to comprehend, but I assure you the rest of this article is more straightforward.

Moon was less than a week old when I met her. I had almost no experience with babies, so I was anxious the first time I held her in my arms. Numerous questions ran through my mind. “Am I doing it correctly?” “What if I squeeze her too tightly?” “What should I do if she cries?”

I fortunately became more and more comfortable with Moon as time passed. Then, after dinner one day about six months later, Quetzali handed an envelope to Kay. There was a greeting card inside that contained a single question:

“Will you be Moon’s godparents?”

“Yes,” Kay and I replied almost simultaneously as we exchanged glances. She and Quetzali happily hugged one another as I looked on proudly. I was happy, but also nervous as I understood that helping to raise a child was a big responsibility.

I still recall the day of Moon’s baptism, which was held at a Catholic church near our home in Los Angeles. The service started promptly at 9 a.m. The year was 2021 and the world was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so only immediate family was allowed to attend it. Moon and Quetzali. Kay and I. Mari (Kay’s younger sister). Albert and Lucky (Kay’s parents).

After the service concluded, a photographer the church had hired took pictures of us in an adjacent outdoor garden. Moon wore a white gown while the rest of us wore color-coordinated blue clothing for the photos. We then met at Albert and Lucky’s house for lunch and spent the rest of the day with one another.

I love Moon as if she were my daughter. I look forward to watching her and Mateo grow up with one another. Like any children who live together, there are bound to be hurt feelings. Tears. Slammed doors. However, in the end, I know they love one another.

Moon and I have many personality traits in common, which I think is cool. We are thinkers. We appreciate solitude. We are meticulous. We are creative. Most importantly, we are introverts with mellow personalities.

Moon has helped to restore my hope in humanity. Our world has become needlessly complex in recent decades. We value greed over integrity. We downplay the importance of quality physical, mental, and emotional health. We no longer respect people who differ from us.

Yet, Moon is very much the eye of the storm. She is a reminder that good still exists. That our best years are still ahead of us. That we should act with kindness, love one another, and — most importantly, keep the faith.