“Children bring us a piece of heaven on earth.”
Roland Leonhardt
While the date September 11 often carries with it much sadness for many families in remembrance of the terrorist attacks that took place in 2001, this September 11 has also become a joyous one for a wonderful couple and our family.
I am happy to report that my nephew Brock and his beloved wife Alix Augustine who live in Mansfield, Texas
welcomed their first child, baby Luka Francis Augustine into this world on Saturday, 9/11 at 7:38 PM. When they say everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State, that includes babies:) Luka weighed in at a healthy 9 pounds, 2 ounces.
Lucky for Luka, the city of City of Mansfield is a growing community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area named by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in America." He will be surrounded by a loving family. Congratulations to the new parents and family members on both sides. In a recent exchange with Brock’s mother and Luka’s proud grandmother Carla, she said: “Luka is pure joy, such a good baby and Brock and Alix are amazing parents!"
Luka’s middle name Francis whose middle name I happen to share is popular in the Christian religion and its main origin is Latin meaning “Frenchman or free man.” Francis was originally an ethnic name meaning ‘Frank,’ my late father’s name. It was the name given to Saint Francis of Assisi, the gentle patron saint of animals, and the name taken by Pope Francis.
Brock, and his brothers Michael, Andrew and Alex are my late brother Michael's sons. They had a special bond with my brother. He loved them unconditionally and vice versa. I have no doubt that he is looking down from above with great joy at the birth of his first grandchild. Congratulations to the new parents and family members on both sides. Parenthood is a life-changing event. May you cherish each and every moment of it with your new baby Luka. Your aunt Cecile and I send our love from California and are so happy for you both.
Postscript: Other than immediate family and some friends, few people know that my brother Michael witnessed the 9/11 attacks from a safe distance. He was on the roof of a construction site he was working on in New Jersey—where we grew up—overlooking the Hudson and billowing smoke from the Twin Towers when the planes hit. Perhaps someday when Luka is older, he will learn about 9/11 in history class and will tell his classmates, “My grandpa Michael saw it happen."
Congratulations dear brother, on the birth of your grandchild Luka Francis Augustine! You are deeply missed.
Photos: courtesy of my sister Josephine, nephew Brock and Alix and Brock’s mom Carla
