Shelagh's three precious gift is mentioned in my story about the Turner children as adults, Unexpected. I found this story needed to be written down.
Shelagh was tidying the house after a busy day. She had been home with Angela and Teddy and it was almost time for Patrick to return home. Unless of course he was needed elsewhere.
At four months Teddy was happily lying on his belly. Next to him on the blanket was Angela who was holding out toys so he could reach for them. Tim was reading nearby on the sofa.
When Shelagh wandered out of the room to put some items away, she heard Angela call for her and Teddy fussing.
Teddy would often lift his head too high to one side and the weight of his head would cause him to turn onto his back. What they cheered as a milestone, upset Teddy who had been perfectly content looking at Angela not the ceiling.
Angela had learned, finally, after many reprimands not to pick Teddy up. Before Shelagh could come rescue her son, Tim said, "I've got this."
She watched as he gently turned his brother over and sat down beside his siblings. She smiled.
"What?" Tim asked slightly annoyed because she was going to make a big deal over his helping with the little ones.
"I was just thinking that you are my three precious gifts. Each one given to me. You of course from your Mummy, who I thank in my prayers everyday. Angela from her young mother who I think about and hope she is happy."
Shelagh wondered what had become of the girl who is now age nineteen. Was she at university studying for her future? Was she married and filling the void of her first baby with others? Hopefully she was happy.
"and Teddy is a gift…"
"Don't say it!" Tim exploded.
"What?" Shelagh wondered what he meant, but looking at his pink cheeks, she realized he thought she was planning to comment on the act in which a child is conceived. Although it was an act that she was quite fond of, it was not at all what she was trying to say. Not that it wasn't on her mind.
Just this morning, both Shelagh and Patrick had woken at six to realize the house was still asleep. With Teddy still dreaming in his cot, Patrick quietly got up and locked the door. What followed was a hasty version of Shelagh's favorite way to start her day. Yes, Patrick had given her Teddy, but she believed there was a higher power too.
"Timothy, what I was saying was that Teddy is a gift from God. My three precious gift."
Once Teddy had reached viability, Shelagh had begun to explore this idea that her unborn baby was a gift from God, the answer to so many prayers. What she discovered was that if God was willing to give her and Patrick this miraculous gift, then He was affirming to her His acceptance. His acceptance of her renouncing her vow to Him to make another vow before Him to Patrick.
This realization moved her further along the way of fully embracing herself as Shelagh Turner. After four years, the shadows of Sister Bernadette had faded. As a result her marriage is stronger than it had ever been.
She continued, "I think when God gave us Teddy, he was also telling me that my choosing to leave my life with Him to be your Mum and your father's wife, was part of His plan."
Throughout the years, Shelagh would remind her children that they were her three precious gifts. She would often receive eye rolls and teasing, but none of her children ever questioned her unique love for each one of them.