At this point (30+ weeks) in each of my pregnancies I've always secretly wondered why people wouldn't offer to help me with my groceries. I mean, when a woman is THIS pregnant and looks like she's going to pop, and is surrounded by several other younguns, you'd think that would make people stop and offer a hand. A store staff person may offer to help, but you'd be amazed how many customers or other people standing by loading their own cars just stare at you as you load your groceries.
Today I didn't have all my kids with me. I had left the 2 youngest (who were sick) at home with my sister, while I took 10 year old brother and 6 year old daughter to the grocery store. I wasn't particularly exhausted today.
With my cart full, I approached the long check out line at the same time as another customer. She had her teenage daughter with her, who appeared to just be along for the ride...you know...because she had to. She was dressed in her own unique style, with a nose ring and and ipod attached to her ears. Her mother signaled for me to go in front of her, nodding toward the kids I had with me. I assured her I wasn't in a hurry, and she was in fact in front of me, so she could go ahead.
As fate would have it, she forgot her wallet, and had to go to her car to get her cash. She then filed back in line behind me as my turn was already in action.
The cashier loaded my cart and wished me a good weekend, mentioning that she made sure "to pack the bags light" for me (noting my condition). I should mention, this is something I greatly appreciate from this cashier each week- she knows their bags break easily, and that a big pregnant woman doesn't need to be chasing groceries down her driveway!
Anyway, as I reached for my receipt, I heard a voice behind me gently say "would you like some help out with those?" I turned, expecting to see the usual Trader Joes staff offering to do their job. But, it was not a Trader Joes staff person. It was the teenager, nose ring and ipod. She blinked at me awaiting my response. I politely said, "Oh, wow, that is so kind of you. Um..." I saw that she was holding her earphones in her hand as she spoke to me. I almost said, quite honestly, that I'd be alright "but thanks anyway"...but I looked at her, in her eyes, and I saw something. Something kind, something generous, something loving. I saw...Christ.
So I said, "Sure, that would actually be really great." She smiled, and ran to her mom to let her know she'd be back.
She followed me to my car, then carefully loaded each bag (more careful than any Trader Joes staff person ever has), gently arranging each bag in the trunk of my van.
This girl was a witness to me. She turned off the noise in her head and was able to see that there was a need, and she was attentive to that.
I ask myself how able I am to detach from the noise in my own head (all my to-do lists, all my thoughts) in such a way as to be attentive to the needs of others.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Clicking around...
Apparently "Women's Health" means NOT having babies. Contraception- COVERED! Pregnancy and Birth- nope, sorry, you have to pay for that.
15 Rules to Live By, courtesy of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
The Church has Always Been Right about Birth Control!
15 Rules to Live By, courtesy of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
The Church has Always Been Right about Birth Control!
If Only We All Had Such Generous Hearts...
There once was a little girl who on her 6th birthday received $7 birthday money. She unhesitatingly gave 1 of those dollars to the Lord (her tithe). Then she received a duplicate gift with a gift receipt, which her mama told her they would go together to return it and she could use the money to get something else.
So one lovely Saturday, the whole family of five, and one on the way, piled in the van to go buy paint (because this particular mama happened to be in the nesting phase of pregnancy). They brought the item to return to the superstore. Upon arriving, the birthday child hopped out of her van with her mama, her remaining $6 in hand, and the item to be returned. They entered the store, and received the worth of the item on a gift card for $19.00. Happily, the mama began to lead her daughter to the toy and game section so she could decide how to spend her birthday money, but the daughter hesitated.
Mama: "What's wrong, honey?"
6 Year old: "Um..well..I was thinking that I would give some of my money to my sister, I bet she would really like to pick something out for herself, too."
So the mama called the papa and asked him to come inside the store with the other kids. This 3 year old (almost 4) was particularly happy to discover, at the generosity of her big sister, she now had her own money with which to buy something. Mama and Papa gazed over at each other, proud of their little generous girl.
So the happy family proceeded to the toy and games section. Mama and 6 year old went off deciding how to spend the $19 gift card, while the 3 year old went with her dad to find a way to spend her $6 cash.
Mama followed the birthday girl around as the little shopper added more and more things to the pile, asking her mama to calculate the total cost to make sure it was under $19.00.
Once all the items were selected, the family met up with each other and proceeded to the check out. Each child, with their money in hand, made their purchases. The older of the two, the birthday girl, had a huge grin on her face.
They took their bags, and before the family could even get out the door, the older child called out, "Okay, everyone! Wait! Come over here to the side!" She reached into her bag, and one by one pulled out an item and handed it to each of her younger sisters. The biggest item, a plastic golf set with 3 clubs and 3 golf balls, she declared it was for all 3 sisters to share together.
She had kept nothing for herself.
Moved by her big sister's generosity, the 3 year old then declared that the item she purchased with her $6 was really for her sisters.
Mama and Papa looked at each other and about cried.
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:3-5)
And they all went home and painted the new "Big Girl's Room" together.
So one lovely Saturday, the whole family of five, and one on the way, piled in the van to go buy paint (because this particular mama happened to be in the nesting phase of pregnancy). They brought the item to return to the superstore. Upon arriving, the birthday child hopped out of her van with her mama, her remaining $6 in hand, and the item to be returned. They entered the store, and received the worth of the item on a gift card for $19.00. Happily, the mama began to lead her daughter to the toy and game section so she could decide how to spend her birthday money, but the daughter hesitated.
Mama: "What's wrong, honey?"
6 Year old: "Um..well..I was thinking that I would give some of my money to my sister, I bet she would really like to pick something out for herself, too."
So the mama called the papa and asked him to come inside the store with the other kids. This 3 year old (almost 4) was particularly happy to discover, at the generosity of her big sister, she now had her own money with which to buy something. Mama and Papa gazed over at each other, proud of their little generous girl.
So the happy family proceeded to the toy and games section. Mama and 6 year old went off deciding how to spend the $19 gift card, while the 3 year old went with her dad to find a way to spend her $6 cash.
Mama followed the birthday girl around as the little shopper added more and more things to the pile, asking her mama to calculate the total cost to make sure it was under $19.00.
Once all the items were selected, the family met up with each other and proceeded to the check out. Each child, with their money in hand, made their purchases. The older of the two, the birthday girl, had a huge grin on her face.
They took their bags, and before the family could even get out the door, the older child called out, "Okay, everyone! Wait! Come over here to the side!" She reached into her bag, and one by one pulled out an item and handed it to each of her younger sisters. The biggest item, a plastic golf set with 3 clubs and 3 golf balls, she declared it was for all 3 sisters to share together.
She had kept nothing for herself.
Moved by her big sister's generosity, the 3 year old then declared that the item she purchased with her $6 was really for her sisters.
Mama and Papa looked at each other and about cried.
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:3-5)
And they all went home and painted the new "Big Girl's Room" together.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Happy Birthday, Princess!
Six years ago today, we were blessed with the birth of our beautiful first child. To this day, she never ceases to amaze us! Happy Birthday, my Darling Girl!
(to explain the picture a bit: she is crazy about cooking, and so has finally received her first cookbook of her own, with a personalized apron and chef hat)
(to explain the picture a bit: she is crazy about cooking, and so has finally received her first cookbook of her own, with a personalized apron and chef hat)
Birth: The Lord's Great Work Accomplished through a Woman
Yesterday I was blessed to observe my first birth since beginning my birth doula training. This makes 3 births (not my own) that I have observed in my adult life.
Over the course of several hours, I witnessed the woman go from gently rocking, to full out labor in the birth tub, with her loving husband right beside her every step of the way. He didn't stop once to take a drink of water for himself- he was focused intently on his wife's great task set before her. I was reminded of my own husband's dedication to me during my own labors.
I felt the contractions right along with her, and found myself breathing through them from my perch on the side of the room (I was shadowing a more experienced doula at this birth). I felt her pain and frustration when transition came, and things got really tough. I remember clearly what that phase is like in my own labors. It was then she asked her husband to pray over her, and he prayed a beautiful spontaneous prayer. All of us bowed our heads and prayed, too. Soon enough, with much sweat and tears, she soon welcomed her baby into her arms, and you could feel the immense joy that filled the room.
It is truly amazing to see a woman literally feel like she hit a brick wall, and then scale it.
Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful design of birth!
Over the course of several hours, I witnessed the woman go from gently rocking, to full out labor in the birth tub, with her loving husband right beside her every step of the way. He didn't stop once to take a drink of water for himself- he was focused intently on his wife's great task set before her. I was reminded of my own husband's dedication to me during my own labors.
I felt the contractions right along with her, and found myself breathing through them from my perch on the side of the room (I was shadowing a more experienced doula at this birth). I felt her pain and frustration when transition came, and things got really tough. I remember clearly what that phase is like in my own labors. It was then she asked her husband to pray over her, and he prayed a beautiful spontaneous prayer. All of us bowed our heads and prayed, too. Soon enough, with much sweat and tears, she soon welcomed her baby into her arms, and you could feel the immense joy that filled the room.
It is truly amazing to see a woman literally feel like she hit a brick wall, and then scale it.
Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful design of birth!
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