Tuesday, January 5, 2016

spaced out

Imperfectly perfect. 
This space of mine.  
My work day started early. It was everything that makes it work. Not enough sleep, tight schedule, fax reports lost in cyberspace, spilled water bottle on my charts, forgot to eat and left the blood draw tubes on my desk.
I yelled at myself in the car. Then I settled enough to pray out loud. 
"Calm my heart.  Calm my mind. Calm this body and make me strong."
The work morphed into joy.  It always does. 
First, SaraLove. smiling in the slushy snow. She jumped into the backseat behind me (spilled water bottle still on the front seat!) and we laughed at the sight of us speeding in the Mini. 
First appointment.  Almost 3 year old comes running in her pink leotard and announces that today her name is Big Sister Mulan. Prenatal ended with her laying her ear on top of mom's 23 week baby belly, wide eyed, telling us what wee brother was saying.  Dad packed us some scones for the road and we were off. 
Next appointment. 16 weeker hid from my doppler. Mom laughed about something and I told her laughing was not permitted.  That was all it took. We were all laughing so hard. Dad and jammied toddler too. I found the heartbeat and all was well.
Off to Eagle Mountain.  Our "mom" met us on the porch, smiles and hugs.  In 10 weeks she'll birth her 9th child, a girl already named.  Eden. Mom still looks like a radiant schoolgirl.  Love does that to a person and this house is full to the brim with Love.  We laughed about Primary kids and dogs and nurses that think babies will drown if water is not broken before birth.  More hugs and some treats for my Georgie dog from her Leo dog. Back on the road.
Fourth appointment. We have grown to love this woman, her man and their dog, Steve. So much! Within a couple of weeks she will be born as a mother. She's getting scared, wonders if she'll be strong enough.  We assure her that she will be, that we will help her. She asks how.  "I will look in your eyes and breathe with you and remind you when you forget, that this will be worth it." She calmed. Visibly. We left her and Steve snuggled under blankets on the couch.
That was the first half of my day.
Bye Sara.  Hello BeckiZen!
We had an official 2 hour  peer review disguised as lunch at Squatters. BZ is a midwife now. We had a million things to catch up on, funniest stories ever and were still not done when our time was up. Was it really 6 years ago when we started our adventures?
I finished the day up by myself.  2 more home visits. 2 more baby bellies. 2 of the sweetest mamas. 2 baby boys that will be born very close together.
Six women and their families shared their spaces with me today. Their trust humbles me. So much.
Is there such a thing as content exhaustion? That's how I would describe me heading westward during rush hour.  Heading home. So happy. So tired.  So ready for my own space to receive me.
Here it is.  
Everyone is asleep. The tea is good.  Spotify "discovered" a playlist just for me. The salt lamp glows.
I'm going to review these charts (They are finally dry!). Then I will simmer here in gratitude for as long as my eyes can stay open. This midwife was fed today with the things that matter most.  

3 comments:

Summer said...

You are not only welcomed but craved for. Thank you for your beautiful words. I had a morning similar- teary, frustrated, and flustered. Tuning into the good blessings helps me to get out of that mindset. Planning my postpartum helpers and laughing with my husband on the phone. I love my life and love that you are a part of it.

JenniferR said...

This is beautiful. & everything I hope for as I begin this journey into midwifery. Thank you for the reality and for sharing the beauty and truth in it.

Marilyn said...

I love this. It makes me want to join you. Happy, busy times. You bring such peace wherever you go! Bring it here to us soon, please. We miss you! :)