Today we are snuggled inside the house. The wood burning stove fan spinning, beans cooking on the stove, Andy strumming his guitar, cards still on the table from earlier games and he is we on the computer playing. I know the snow and ice is supposed to be scary and concerning and we could loose power for days but instead for me it is just a lovely excuse to have my husband and children home and cook lots of yummy food and play games and laugh and talk. One of my fondest memories is when I was about 37 weeks pregnant with Andy, Tom and I drove to Arkansas to see my dad. We got there and experienced our very 1st ice storm. So we holed up in a hotel with my dad, uncle, Tom and I (plus Andy in the belly). We ate sandwiches and microwaved soup. We looked out at the beautiful ice world outside and talked, laughed and played double pinochle till all hours. It was truly a wonderful time. Just to find a few hours, a couple of days with no responsibilities no outside things to do to just hole up with people you love and enjoy their company.
I think that the birth bubble that women have is similar to this time. I am always thankful when mommas stay inside for as long as possible. When they don't race back to the real world, to the TV, radio, target or Walmart. All of those things will always be there. However, a brand new baby in your arms will not be there forever. The softness of their head, the smell or the sweet baby nursling noises that they make. The precious moments laying next to your sweet one will drift away slowly at first but oh so surely. When you really are ready to venture out into the real world again it will all still be there and shockingly it will have gone on without you as if the most monumental moment in your life didn't just occur. As if the rest of the world has no idea that a miracle just sprang forth from your body and is wiggling warmly in your arms.
A few days ago when I left the birth of a lovely red headed slip of a girl, although I was tired I realized I am still occasionally surprised to see people going on about the day as if the world didn't just stand still for a moment. I noticed this most profoundly when I was at a birth during the terrorist attacks of 9.11 in the US. It was a long birth and we had no TV or radio going. It was truly shocking to come out into the world that time and find out that while I was locked in the beauty, hard work and magnificence of birth that something so tragic and something so impactful had gone on. That day the 1st time momma that I was serving, her world changed forever in an amazing way and hundreds of other lives changed forever in a heartbreaking way.
So if you find yourself trapped in a blanket of ice today just enjoy that your world has stopped for a few moments that maybe you will have extra snuggles but don't be surprised to find when you venture out the world has continued.
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