Monday, October 15, 2007

Counting down

This is the famous ME who occasionally comments -- Anne's mom. I'm a few feet away from the end of the birthing bed, and I'm very omfortable thank you, in a rocking chair with my coffee at hand, and Anne's computer for light-hearted entertainment.
Matt is in another soft, pleasant chair, typing fiendishly on his computer. Anne is counting her way through intensifying contractions, and the baby's heartbeat is adding a soft undertone to the quiet hum of this birthing room.
So nice. So different from the day Anne was born to me in "The Shrubbery" (a maternity home in High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire). So different because then, I could hear another woman wailing down the hall, and the midwife kept stepping out for a cigarette. Here, all is quiet and peaceful. We're only waiting for the wail of a baby.
When I heard the first wail of tiny baby Anne, all other crying stopped, and the August wind stirred the curtains at the windows, and all the roses bloomed brighter in the garden outside. "One lump of sugar, or two?" asked the lady with the teacart.
On the way over to the hospital this morning, I caught the tail end of "The Writer's Almanac". "It's the birthday," said Garrison Keillor, "of P.G. Wodehouse.
Oh! We have moved from four to seven centimeters in a very short space of time!
ME

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you "Me" for the update. The virtual world is waiting eagerly for your next report.

Anonymous said...

Prayers ascend for Ann and a safe delivery of this new little soul.

God of the humble and hopeful,
you bless those who believe when you promise.

Help us, like Mary and Elizabeth,
simply to delight in the good things you prepare for us,
to say 'yes' to your call,
and to trust that your strength and your love
will provide the wisdom needed by this family to care for this their newest member.

In the precious Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Anne said...

Me again. Gwendolyn Rose Kathryn arrived in perfect safety at 11.28 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 11 ounces. She didn't smile or coo. She cried and turned red, and looked for food. Now her mother is calling for food, so all is very well. Very well indeed, and I'm the one who gets to say, "One lump of sugar, or two?" and hand out the tea.
ME

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! Welcome Gwendolyn!

Anonymous said...

Holy and Blessed God and Creator of all, we praise you that you have called Ann to share in your creative acts by the great mystery of childbirth.

We give you thanks that she has been brought safely through the time of pregnancy and labor,
bringing the new life of Gwendolyn Rose Kathryn Kennedy into this world which you love.

Thank you for the waiting and the joy,
thank you for new life
thank you for the gift of Gwendolyn Rose Kathryn Kennedy, entrusted to the care of her family.

May they be patient and understanding,
ready to guide and quick to forgive,
that in their love this little girl may know your Love.

May she learn to love your Word and your world and the whole family of your children.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, your own Holy Child.

Anonymous said...

Alright! Congratulations on the safe and healthy arrival of your new little girl. So glad to hear the good news straight from Anne herself! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank God for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. Gwendolyn Rose Kathryn: a treasure of great names for a tiny mite.

punctuation without capitalization said...

it's also my own momma's birthday.

Anonymous said...

Thank you "Me" for the report ... it was much better than having Kevin there with a live AnglicanTV feed!

Congrats to mom, dad, grandma and even Gwendolyn.

Dear Gwendolyn, I understand, I was comfortable too once upon a time then all of a sudden ...

Jane R said...

Lovely, Anne, thank you so much. Thanks be to Godde and congratulations to all, especially to mother and baby. How wonderful to have a safe and speeding delivery.

Anonymous said...

Oh wonderous! Blessings on all of you this day. Thank you so much "ME" for the update.

Blessed, blessed day!

Susan Engelhardt

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

I can't wait to meet my new niece!

Love, Megan