Blessed event

Alexander Loudon, Netherlands Minister to the U.S., when asked if the blessed event was in prospect, hedged: "A royal child born on the soil of freedom-loving America would be both a blessing and a good omen."

Soon we come to the mother-to-be-any-minute-now in the delivery room, and there is some question about whether the father can/will/wants to get to the hospital in time for the blessed event.

Mr. Spenlow told me this day week was Dora's birthday, and he would be glad if I would come down and join a little picnic on the occasion. . . . I think I committed every possible absurdity in the way of preparation for this blessed event.

There was a time not so long ago when a company poised to go public would invite a reporter inside to memorialize the moments leading up to the blessed event.