May 5, 2026 was a big day on this planet of ours: Sébastien Gabriel showed up.  Mom and dad Cara and Simon are “tickled pink”.  (I love those words)

Yesterday was Sébastien’s baby shower in Waregem.  I got to go!  And it was the first one in my life.

Over a hundred of us revelled in the presence of the young one, held tenderly by dad.  And featured in photos on the screen.

The people I knew (Cara, Simon and Petra – Cara’s mom) were busy greeting each newcomer to the party.  So I just sat on a chair and scanned the crowd, loving people I’ve never met.  I knew that all the conversations would be in Dutch, and I’d be lost.  So I simply watched people.

Later Cara’s dad Pascal and her sister Tessi arrived, and I had nice talks with them and Petra.  Plus a few words here and there with Cara, the very busy new mom.

I asked Pascal about his life, and his eyes brightened with the word “padel”.  It’s a combination of tennis and squash, played on a glass-enclosed court.   Pascal loves the sport and it was so cool to hear that in his voice.  May all of us love some activity deeply (and the people in our lives).

Pascal gave up tennis in his 20’s because of knee problems and has discovered padel in his 50’s.  The knees can handle it.  Oh … it’s a feel good story.

Tessi has returned from several months of studying in Sweden.  Two things stood out in her words:

1.  The emotional challenge of having almost 24 hours of darkness in the winter

2.  Her growing empathy with people living in Belgium who don’t speak much Dutch (like me) after her struggles with not knowing Swedish

And then there’s Petra.  The revelation of being a grandmother – life changing.  Not a transition but a jolt.  Eyes opening to the beauty of a new human life who is a deep part of you.

More news: Petra and Tessi intend to run the Gent Marathon next spring … all 42 kilometres.  Go for it, my friends!

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Cara came by with a book for guests to comment about Sébastien.  Here’s what I wrote:

Enough said

Welcome, Sébastien