I have three daughters. Emma who is almost 12*: Morgan who is 8*: and Aimee who is almost 4*. (*At the time of this writing)

Before I became a father, I most assuredly knew I was going to have boys. Of course I would have boys…I played football, basketball, baseball, track and field growing up. I was a sports kinda guy and I knew I would have boys to pass along my fairly decent athletic abilities. I would be able to teach them the intricasies of fielding a ground ball on the baseball field, or how to throw a perfect spiral on the gridiron, or how to get just the right touch from the foul line on the basketball court. I could also teach them how to throw the discus or the javelin, or how to shotput.  I was all set, and it was gonna be easy.

God had different plans for me. God knows whats best for me at all times and He knew I was not going to have boys.  When we did the drugstore test which said we were pregnant,  I said my little prayer…”God, I pray for a healthy baby, but please let it be a boy!”  Well,  three times we went for “that first prenatal ultrasound” and three times the technician told us we were having a girl. Although I wanted a boy, I was not dissappointed by the news….well maybe for half a second, but I knew I would be receptive to whatever news God had in store for us. Needless to say, there was a lot of pink onesies, jammies, and blankets at my house.

So here I am at 50…(I used to think being 50 was so old), with my three daughters and my wife. I love them all more than life. I’d like to share with you something very personal. I give my daughters three blessings every night before they go to sleep.  After saying prayers I hold each of them close and say,

“May the Lord bless you always, keep you safe and free from harm, and may you always know how much mommy and daddy love you.”

Next….”May the blessing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit decend upon you and keep you safe this night and every night of your life.”

And finally, “Holy Mary, Blessed Virgin, I consecrate my daughters to you so that you may lead them closer to your Son, Jesus and keep them safe for the rest of their life.”

I know that Mary, with her grace, will lead them to Jesus and that they will know Him.   Mary is our spiritual Mother who, like the moon, reflects the light from the sun (her Son). She is so important to us, a resource that people sometimes forget. But she is our Mother, looking out for her children.

I know God has blessed me.  I started this post by saying that I wanted to have boys. Let me say to you now that I have three beautiful girls and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Sleep well, Emma, Morgan, and Aimee. I love you so much. God Bless you, my little ones.

And God Bless you, too.