Valentine Memories

My parents: Helen Tague McGee and Hugh McGee

                                       Valentine's Day has always been special for me(and my family), as it was the day      my parents met and, according to my Dad, it was love at first sight. He told me that when he arrived at the Barn Dance on my mothers property and saw her "across a crowded room" he knew she was the love of his life and would be his partner in marriage. She, on the other hand was "going steady" with a guy named Bob, so my father had to find a way to seperate them, if only for a minute, to charm her. He did this by giving someone a nickel to give to "Bob" to play the jukebox, while the muscians took a break. This ploy apparently worked as they soon met, married and I and my two sisters and eventually my two nieces are the fruit of that marriage

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Reprint of Valentine's Day 2010

------But back to the near present 2007, as it was the day Diana and I landed on Ugandan soil and last year I had a Valentine Party with both babies Michael and Daniel present.

-----This year was just as memorable , as my helper Bernedette asked me to be the godmother of her son "Obama" who was born June 13th, with me present for this miraculous occasion. I only later realized that both Michael and Obama were exactly 8 mo. old when I became their American godmother.
Fr. John Vianney, our hospital Chaplain, chose to perform the ceremony in the local language, so I am not sure what I agreed to (ha) but, as with Michael, I will go everything in my power to "be there" for Obama in the most holistic of ways.

Purchasing the boys outfits was a feat in itself: At 8 mo. of age Obama fits nicely into size 12 mo. clothes but they are not easy to find, especially white and for boys. You see "cross-dressing" is the norm here in Uganda until about age 3 years, so although I could find a zillion frilly white dresses for his special day, I could just not expand my conciousness that far. Obama is a boy--that is that! Ha . While shopping for this sweet godson, I came upon the size two white tux and knew it would fit Michael perfectly and it did. He adapted quite easily to formal wear and as he walked, crawled, skipped around the chuch, everyone had full advantage of this spiffy young man.
Only two years ago, at exactly the same age as Obama (but only weighing 7lbs) I held him in my arms as he was baptized ; Hugh"Michael". Today, Timothy"Obama" at double that weight, became my second Ugandan godchild. How blessed I have been since arriving here in Uganda, exactly 3 years ago today--Valentines Day 2007.

Perhaps my favorite photo:

Michael, who had been sauntering around the altar during the babtism, is looking up at Fr. John as he performs the ceremony, as is Obama. Bernedette and I, on the other hand, are sharing a reverant moment of the blessing of the baptismal candle.

-Marie and her godsons (Michael and Obama) and Mama Obama-Bernedette