On Birth

My little sister had a baby last night.

Yesterday morning there was no baby. This morning, a new little soul is a part of this world, our family, and his family. A child who will forever be a part of my heart.

I understand that there are fundamental feelings and emotions that women who have not experienced the act of giving birth can't understand, but my sister has given me a great gift. With both of her labors, she's called me right before the "final act" and then again from the recovery room, hopped up on drugs, and still raging on hormones. Last night she was almost forced to hang up because her oxygen was dropping while talking to me. She's let me share with her some of the raw emotion of giving birth (without actually being there, which my squeamish heart would decline anyway). She's cried out her emotions, whispered in a wavering voice her fears, and squealed her joy.

She's allowed me to experience some measure of the birth process, for which I am grateful and humbled. Ironically, last night she told me that part of the reason she is so compelled to call me in these moments is because I don't have my own experiences to judge her against. I am a blank birthing slate, ready to absorb her emotions without judgment or filters.

Last night was truly special. With her first son (the first baby for either of us), there was some measure of "OMG, I'm/You're a Mother....there's a baby here" and complications to understand. This time around, after both of us growing together for the last 2.5 years as mothers who've experiences some readjusted expectations, our conversations were much different.

More honest.
More realistic.
More sincere.
More grateful.
and definitely more joyful.

Who knows what the future holds for my perfect little nephew, but I know I'll never forget the night he was born and the gift that he is.

K--I know you read this sometimes, although with two littles you will probably miss this post. Thanks for walking this motherhood road with me and sharing those parts where your path diverges.