Memories of 1st Baby Girl

New babies being born this month and next makes me think of our babies.

Angela truly was and is an angel. Angel means "messenger of God". We chose that name just because we liked it. I had a schoolmate named Angela who went by the nickname of Angie. I loved the nickname Angie so I chose that name but Dad hated the nickname Angie. He thought it sounded like a "mangy" dog. Thus Angela remained Angela. Her middle name, Marie, was chosen with Mary, the mother of Jesus, in mind and because it was beautiful with Angela.

At the time, Dad was an E5 in the Navy. Salaries were very low in 1970. We had no money to buy anything for Angela. Angela's hospital bill was $7.00. That was for our food. We had just moved from Williamsburg to Fredericksburg, Virginia since Dad was stationed at Quantico Marine Base. We had only a few friends whom we had just met. Therefore, we had no baby shower. The day Angela and I were to be released from the hospital, Dad bought one outfit to bring her home in. Poor Angela! But God knew and was so faithful. Upon arriving home, we found a large box on our doorstep with everything needed for new baby Angela. What timing! God provided through Grandma Jo! This is just one of many stories of God's faithfulness to us as a family over the years. When Angela was first born she slept in a green rectangle laundry basket. I have to say, it was the most convenient thing. I believe we were given a crib later. Martha Stewart often says, "It's a good thing!" Well, I say, "God does good things!"