ARE WE NOT ALL MADONNAS ?

A little more than a week ago, I had the honor to be part of an intimate circle of support to a young couple that were first time expectant parents. The new mother Annette successfully gave birth to her little girl Bowie B. Meyers, after a two and a half day labor. Annette was very clear from the beginning that she wanted to have a vaginal delivery, if at all possible. She felt strongly that she could accomplish this, even while her window of time became increasingly narrowed. Her midwives stood by her decision and aided her with years of their experience in feminine body wisdom. Her husband stood by her in loving respect and support, while he watched the woman of his heart wield a feminine life force that was unparrallel to any physical feat he had ever witnessed. Fully possessed, as only a birthing mother could be, Annette and her Bowie worked together to experience a healthy entrance into this world. 

 It is not possible to sit in wait and not recall one's own birthing experiences and the flood of memories that accompany them. I write this articles with the awareness that my own son's birthday was yesterday and within a few days I will join him and his family in Colorado to celebrate him.

I recall after the birth of my second child Iris, that my husband Pat, who participated in both of our children's home births, came to my bedside with joy and tears in his eyes and fell to his knees. He spoke of his "awe for me" and said he had never witnessed such strength and force.  I ask myself as I reflect on this memory, "Are not all women Madonnas, when they give birth?" Regardless of how the birthing process goes and there are so many twists and unexpected turns of events, we as woman struggle and waver at the threshold of life and death. Our bodies demand that we thin out, until no resistance remains in us; our wills organize in a determined resolute so our committment is unshakeable in the face of pain and fear; our psyches are required to trust and surrender to the mystery of a fate and destiny in the making; while our souls become initiated into divine co-creation.  

Blessings to Annette and all our Mothers who have risked it all for the love of humanity!