Stephenson Family Ties

MARY

Even as I am a woman, as all other women,

And tonight I feel awkward and cold and afraid.

The hurt binds my breath, my body is heaving,

And the anguish wrings tears of pain.

But oh, this ecstasy...how this ecstasy?

This weakness I feel when I touch his face?

The softness, the wonder that he lies here breathing,

Warm and pulsing within my embrace?

So this is the beauty that lights my countenance,

This the knowledge that burns in my eyes,

This the joy that pulses my being,

Transforming my body and heart and brain.

There are people here, and noise and speaking-

But he I and I lie apart and alone.

Joseph smiles and speaks to me silently;

I think he knows, I think he knows.

I perceive that this baby is different, special,

I know he belongs to his people, and God,

But he is my firstborn; exquisite, divine.

Tonight there is no one-prophets nor angels-

For I am his mother...and he is mine.

-Susan Evans McCloud

GEORGE BAILEY: Dear Father in heaven… I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope and I… show me the way, oh God