Tristan Orion

When Spring brings a new baby, the earth is renewed.

Through the late snowfall in Wisconsin, we have anxiously anticipated this little one’s arrival. It’s been a long and sometimes heartbreaking trail that Dan and Zoe have followed, hoping to increase their family and have a sibling for Tashi. And Tashi, our delightful 11 year old jumping jack of a little girl, now has a baby brother!

What a joyous addition to Spring a new baby is! And that’s especially true when the little guy has been so eagerly awaited by his concerned family. Dan, our thoughtful and history minded sixth child and his lovely poet of a wife have presented us with our ninth grandchild. The e-mails have flown fast and furious over the past days as we first worried with Zoe about the fact that this baby is a month early, and that she might have to have a Caesarean. As is the usual case, everyone in this far flung yet so close family had to give advice, form a cheering section and assure Dan and Zoe that we were with them every minute. And now, all that apprehension has disappeared.

He’s here! Tristan Orion. A wondrous name, worthy of a warrior, and yet centered in the stars. Star-blessed, he arrives welcomed by all of his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents with a sigh of relief.

We had a star named for Dan when he graduated from college. We knew that he, of all, would be looking to the stars as he made his way through life. Dan has always been thoughtful, history minded, detail oriented. His luck in finding and joining with our beautiful mahogany-haired Zoe, who thinks in poetic mysticism and yet works in absolute practicality, is a blessing not only to him, but to us. Zoe writes with such emotion about the earth, her surroundings, her life, in her blog “Vale of Evening Fog.” She loves to garden, cooks up a storm, and will defend her beliefs vociferously!
How could these two find such compatibility? Ahh…you see it when they listen to music. You find it in the myriad of books lining their walls. You see it when they smile at Tashi, the love of their life. Their house is a tranquil place, surrounded by woods, filled with warmth that is most engaging. Their kindness to the seven nieces and nephews is palpable.

And now, Tashi has a little brother. Tashi, of the easy grin. Tashi, who loves fairies and takes such gentle care of Luna and Loki, her beloved cats, now has a small sibling to watch over and to smile about.

And we? We see a tiny red face, almost a duplicate of his father’s baby picture. We see a life of love, caring, smiles and wondrous potential for this dear little boy.

When Spring brings a new baby, the earth is renewed.