miracle

this week
i had the opportunity to assist a friend
and her husband
in the birth of their baby girl.


{picture is of mabel.}

when i got the call on monday night
i was excited but also nervous.
nervous that i wouldn't know what to do
and wouldn't know how to help.
but, i said a fervent prayer
drove through the rain
and arrived at the hospital.

once i arrived
i moved right in
encouraging her and helping out
and making suggestions.
keeping her moving, drinking, etc.

as time went on, though,
the mood became quiet
and calm as her contractions
became more intense
but less frequent.
giving her time to rest
and prepare
for each new one.

during the next few hours,
as her labor progressed,
i was honored to observe this couple.
and see the miracle and beauty of
such a humble union.

her husband was a rock of support...
massaging her aching back
whispering sweet words
of encouragement in her ear
doing anything she wanted him to
to relieve her even a little bit.

and in turn, she relied on him fully.
his touch renewed her
his pressure on her back was
exactly what she needed
to get through hard moments.
and near the end
when the pain became too intense,
she wanted only him, close to her
there for her, holding her in his arms.

at times i felt as if i was intruding
on their sweet intimacy.
i would sneak away to fold blankets
or eat a snack or re-read her birth plan.
just busy myself to give them privacy,
their heads bent low in concentration
both focused in unity
on their goal
of bringing their baby into the world
as naturally and gently as possible.

and when they reached that goal,
when their sweet girl was born
it was such a joy for me
to watch their faces.
to see their excitement and emotion,
their joy and pride
that they accomplished such a feat.

life
is
a miracle.