sweet dreams in my head

I am so, so behind on writing birth stories... 

Stay tuned - I have several more floating around in my head!

reflections on your birth day

                                         Underneath you, all around you

flowed water’s current of husband-love.

You floated and you rested in his arms,

speaking into your body,

beckoning the opening,

and breathing release.

All while wet hands held and

reflections of miracles spoke

into the cleft of the room.

You burrowed in

warm nest where mommy bird perched from pillow top

and sang soothing sounds over you.

Strong hands kneaded.

Comfort whispered.

Wrapped in blankets white,

you waited,

you opened,

you called her to your arms.

She entered

and you returned

to receive

and hold,

and kiss.

Family of three nestled close

while babe suckled breast,

dreaming and speaking of

adventures unfold.

the strong cords

Strong and calm, wise and kind,

you embraced the journey with bravery.

Walking, breathing, climbing, dancing,

Ever keeping in step with the waves.

With love and care he fixed his eyes on you,

a gentle rock of comfort, he stood at your side,

ever there, speaking words of strength to your heart.

My friends, with awe and gratitude I witnessed

an intricate tapestry of love 

and kindness and trust weave itself

around the three of you that day,

blanketing your family with warmth.

May the colorful strands stay strong and tight

As you continue on life’s journey together. 

your quiet strength

quiet and soft you breathed,
letting your body work.

tears of love mingled with his smile
as he looked at your beautiful face.

an alphabetical account of your labor journey.

Although the path took a turn
Because the strength of your waves,
Calm and peace you embraced
Dancing to the rhythm of grace.
Every footstep heard,
Forever in their place
Going forward now, you saw your daughter's face.
Hallelujah! Highest praise above!
Inside, deep down, and all around is
Jesus - He covers you with love.

shining on you

the moon was full and the stars were bright,
and labor continued on its the course.

 traveling and breathing and swelling and expelling,

it came to the point when you would see your babe.

by your side, holding your hand, wiping your head, 

we told you that you are strong.

going forward.

You shared your journey -
letting me walk by you those few hours.
I learned where you have been and where you are going,
and I am hoping you are covered with peace and
blanketed with love, feeling warm grace wash all over you.

my attempt at a haiku for a beautiful mother.

Stepping into calm
 Your eyes revealed love found
on your new son's face.

What a day...

As I sat on the bathroom floor,

in the dark and calm, 

breathing with a mother strong and wise, 

as each contraction brought her closer to seeing his little face, 

this music began to seep through the door slightly ajar, 

and it has been singing in my head all this day. 

The melody and the lyrics filled with inspiration

to delight in the present and the loveliness all around-

It strummed my heart strings as the music  

and the moment were free to resonate in my core.

Beauty can be found in life's hardest moments....

In case you wondering what's the song... here it is...

Wild Child by Enya.

she embraced the wind.

Cruising through the waters,
Riding on the waves,
Staying the course when the winds got fierce,
Finding the best route for a peaceful journey.
You stood on the bow, arms open wide,
The strong breeze on your beautiful face.

You smiled and you marveled,
You both fell in love at first sight of her.
She joins you on the adventure now,
floating above the salty sea.
Sail away my friends, onto new wonders unfold.

this calls for a celebration

We laughed together as the time neared.

We celebrated with each push.

We giggled with excitement as he was laid on your breasts.

After the long journey, we sighed contently.

Thank you for letting me stay to be at your side.

Thank you for understanding my heart when the language barrier crowded things and you couldn't understand my words.

It was a gift to be there with you.

It was a gift to meet your son.

just like her momma.

You had labored for a few days

and pushed for several hours.

You were exhausted and felt weak,

but you were the most beautiful person in the room.

I will always remember your endurance and your strength,

and your voice when you said, "She is beautiful!"

Just like her momma.

you are the perfect mother for her.

I needed to take off my shoes, as it was holy ground.

I witnessed you, in the middle of the water, with Him,

thinking it through, preparing to meet your child.

You were calm, it was quiet.

She left your womb and entered your arms

and you saw her.

She saw you.

We sat quietly as you two met, and we listened as you talked it out.

Those raw moments, again, I needed to take off my shoes, for it was

holy

ground.

She is beautiful. She is perfect. She is a gift.

You are the perfect mother for her.

marveling at the gift

To come alongside as your doula

was to redeem time lost.

Many moments during that day

I marveled at the gift of serving you,

washing your feet, so to speak.

I met a beautiful family with a story,

with dreams and talents, and history.

I met a mother who bravely faced a long labor.

I met a father who bravely served our country and his family.

I met a grandmother who loves her baby girl.

Thank you for letting me into your lives that day.

always remember your smile.

I remember it so well.

You had been working so hard, breathing, dancing, swaying.

Hours and contractions ticking by.

And then I saw you smile...

while you breathed...

while your body squeezed.

So close to the time, so intense were the moments.

And you smiled.

A sweet, peaceful smile.

The beautiful and strong essence of a woman.

speaking from the heart

You are not alone. I was there.

I remember the fear and I wanted to take it away for you.

I saw you work it through, quietly and holding his hand

You found the strength and you surrendered to the urge

Pushing and pulsing and gliding and kicking she left your womb.

The relief, the peace, the satisfaction, the joy filled your face.

Levanto mis manos aunque no tenga fuerzeas.

Levanto mis manos aunque tenga mil problemas.

Puedes hacerlo. Tu eres muy fuerte.

through the seasons

Her labor with him was a long journey,

Through the night, throw the snow, she trekked on

Always looking ahead to the moment she would see his face.

Their eyes met after several hours, and she rested from her work.

Months later after I witnessed those moments,

His momma and I sat on a park bench in the sun .

We laughed and talked while he slept in my arms

And our other children played in the warm summer air.

A dear friend I made, a sweet baby I held.

A dreamy vignette

Focused and intent, you labored with ease. Your husband said you looked just like you look when you are deep into a good book. The power of intentionally placed words to create a moving account can pull on one’s heart strings to create a melodious love and desire for life and beauty in the purest form. My Dear , it was in the thicket of a dreamy vignette where you found yourself in this labor. You were lost in the story, focused on the moment and attentive to the detail. You read quietly as the Great Author wrote down the beat and intensity of your contractions and pushes. You let Him lead you in this labor journey and in doing so, the tapestry of the script was full of grace and peace and calm and beauty. Your husband cheered you on through each leaf, gently caring and encouraging you. He looked at your face with such love and adoration, calling you “Pretty.” When the chapter turned and your son entered the world, the words of joy, elation and celebration danced off the page. A proud Daddy announced your baby is a boy and a relieved mother embraced her son. In the quietness of the moment, and as a family, you gave thanks to the Word Himself. Praise be to God, for the Lord was glorified on your son's Birth day.

Hush Little Baby

But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. Matthew 6:6

It was in the bathroom where you had that time with Your Heavenly Father alone. It was in that quiet, secluded place where I heard you cry out to the Lord, offering up a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise in the midst your painful contractions. You drew near to God and He drew near to you. You felt like you progressed most effectively in the bathroom. I put a candle in the room to remind of you that the Lord is your light and salvation. The second time you went into that secluded place, you did not turn on the light (and fan) and I believe that to be providential because shortly after the door closed, your daughter came over and sat down beside me out side the bathroom. You were able to hear your first born interceding for you.

Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28

Shortly after the morning light broke through, we heard little footsteps and doors opening. Your son came down first in his little jammies and went to where you were leaning over the ottoman by the corner of the room. He gently put his hand on your shoulder. The love and concern that he displayed was pure and sweet. Both your children put the eucalptus crown on your head and offered gentle strokes and endearing looks. Your love and dedication that your children received from you through the years was graciously and generously reciprocated through their gentle touches, endearing looks, and sweet encouragements during your labor.

But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:12

There was one time during transition when you floated over to the side where your husband was sitting and held his hand. I was nearby and with your other hand you held mine. When you were weary and needing encouragement, we were your Aaron and Hur.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love, he will joy over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

After you held our hands, your husband put on the long awaited song, Hush Little Baby, Nina Simone. A most beautiful moment followed as I witnessed you emotionally and spiritually singing over your unborn child. The tears you shed were that of joy, and in the midst of that birth pool you were singing to your son as the Lord was singing over you.

Covered in Prayer, Filled with Grace

I witnessed a most beautiful event several days ago. A beautiful, red haired baby boy was born in the peace and comfort of his own home and in the gentleness of warm water. He was called out of the womb with prayer and supplication, rejoicing and thanksgiving. The prayers of many were answered as God was glorified in this home on his Birth Day. The Lord's faithfulness is sure as the dawn, His perfect peace is a sweet balm, His Word is powerful, and His Holy Spirit is healing comfort.

(Pictures are posted with permission.)

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, all that is within me, Praise His Holy Name." Psalm 103:1

Mother and Daughter share a special moment. What a joy to see her first born be filled with compassion and hear her praying for her mother.

He gives strength to weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Praise the Lord...who crowns you with love and compassion...

Psalm 103:4

Thank you, Dear Friend and Sister, for the gift you gave me to be at your son's birth.