The Miracle of Birth

The beginning of a new year is a good time to be thinking about new birth.  But I had even more reason to be thinking about birth.  On November 1, 2013 our second grandchild made his appearance into this world.  It was a home birth and I happened to be staying with my son and daughter-in-law at the time.  Although I didn't witness the actual birth I did get to see the little miracle about two hours later. 

 

This little fellow reminded me of the births of my four children.  It wasn't the pain of labour I remember so much but the exhilaration of the actual birth and the incredible wonder of being a part of creating this beautiful creature within my body for nine months.  And then helping this little miracle make its way into this world.  What a privilege it is to be part of this miracle!

Since this was a home birth, Mom and Dad and baby camped out on the futon in the living room for the first few days.  Surrounded by love, this little fellow couldn't help but thrive.

Mom, Dad, and Uncle Ryan with the new-born baby

And the miracles just continued to happen.  From day to day, sometimes even hour to hour, we noticed changes in him.  His thin little lips suddenly became fuller and actual lips, not just a line.  He smiled for the first time -- and not just from gas but a real smile -- as he looked at Mom and Dad and even gave Grandma a big smile!  He would scratch his face and there would be a bright red mark that only a few hours later had disappeared.  His umbilical cord dried up and fell off within four days.  So many wondrous things that I don't remember noticing with my babies.  I guess I didn't have time, or take time, then.

Even tiny little feet.....

and hands... seem to be miracles! (By the way, these are Ruth's hands, our granddaughter, at only a few days old)

How does all this happen -- a baby form from a simple sperm and egg with all the parts of a person in miniature.  It truly is a precious miracle!

Even the task of discerning his name is something of a miracle.  I remember having lists of names prepared for our babies, but when they were born none of them seemed to fit.  It takes a day or two of just being around them, getting to know them, and letting them help you figure out their name.  Sam and Hallie did just that, and settled on Felix Omally, which suits him perfectly!

little Felix Omally a few days old

I am so thrilled that I was able to be close by to experience this miracle of birth and the miracle that is Felix, our grandson!  I hope I will have opportunity to spend plenty of time with both Felix and Ruth, our granddaughter (different son and daughter-in-law) and so experience all the miracles that happen as they learn and grow.

Journey of Excitement and Anticipation

Last Thursday, October 24, I left home on a long journey to Glidden, Saskatchewan via Saskatoon.  I know that's a very long way around, but I needed to stop in Saskatoon.  I was filled with excited anticipation for several reasons as you will discover.

I used to think that this time of year -- when the colourful autumn leaves have all fallen from the trees and before the snow covers everything with a white blanket -- as drab and gray.  I have since learned different.





As I headed toward Saskatoon, the sun was shining brightly behind my left shoulder.  The enormous prairie sky was a beautiful blue with delicate white feathery wisps of clouds.

All the way along the colours never ceased to amaze me. 

All the tints and shades and hues of golden yellow in the grass and fields of combined grain, the rust of the weeds and small bushes, the red to wine of the willow trees, and even some green still on the trees and grass in places.  I even saw some bushes in one spot that, with the sun shining on them, were a bright pink.  All this spectacular colour added to the excitement I was already feeling.

Then there was the wildlife I glimpsed at times.  A coyote running along between the two sides of the divided highway,  flocks and flocks of geese circling in the air, the ducks and even some swans.  Again all of these added to the excitement I felt.

I arrived in Saskatoon at the printers to look over the proof of my new book!  Amazing!  It was so much more beautiful than I had imagined.  Incredible.  Now I can hardly wait until I have the actual books in my little hands - one to two weeks!  (You'll hear more about that in a future blog.)

Leaving Saskatoon and heading out to Kindersley and then on to Glidden, even more colours were awaiting me.  The sunset came with some glorious colours.

It was after the sun had set completely that the sky came alive.  The feathery clouds turned all shades of pink and peach against the blue sky.

The horizon remained peachy-orange long after the sun was gone and almost the whole way to Glidden!

So when I arrived in Glidden I was so filled with contentment, peace, awe and wonder, and excitement!  And the excited anticipation comes as we wait for a new baby to arrive - my son and daughter-in-law's - our second grandchild.  

This is the two (or should I say three) of them dressed up for a Hallowe'en party as Father Time and Mother Earth.

Another bonus, I will see my other two sons, another daughter-in-law and our precious little granddaughter while I'm here.  Life just doesn't get any better than this!!

Calling Lakes Centre Serenity

I'm at Calling Lakes Centre for the weekend.  This beautiful, peaceful place snuggled into the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley.  As I go outside for a walk this afternoon, the serenity of the surroundings permeate my being, filling every cell in my body with contentment, peace, tranquility.

 I notice the gentle breeze lifting the yellow leaves from the tree branches, sending them dancing down to the earth.  The crisp cool air clears my head and I am even more aware of the world around me.

The water laps lightly onto the rocks at the edge of the lake.  The gentle rhythm resonates throughout my entire body.  The sun tries hard to shine through the clouds and the flowers valiantly hold their heads up despite the cold temperatures, speaking to me of resilience and determination.  The tweeting and chirping of the birds in the trees fills me with gladness and joy.  They feel like kindred spirits.

I just want to sit here amongst this beauty, absorbing all of its peaceful, life-giving energy.  I am one with all things.  At one with the whole universe.  I am.