|
|
4 December, 1998
This morning, just a touch over an hour and a half past midnight, I was given the best gift anyone's ever given me.
Two good friends had their baby, and I was there. Being included in the birth process is an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. And I don't know if I'll ever be able to tell them how much this has meant to me. To protect the family's privacy, I won't be giving you names or posting any pictures.
I've been tickled pink and quite giddy ever since the day, about eight months ago, when the father-to-be called me to tell me the news. "Hey, Gene. Guess what? We're pregnant!" He then swore me to secrecy, as the grandparents-to-be hadn't yet been told. D & K are two of the most wonderful, smart, and kind people I've ever known, and no one could make better parents. I was thrilled.
They completely shocked me a few months later when they asked me to be on the birth team. I got to attend childbirth classes, co-host the baby shower, and participate in discussions of potential baby names. We spent a lot of time the last two days keeping the mother-to-be amused or distracted. She wasn't in labor the whole time, but we were at the hospital and in a situation where they needed us to stay, so it was an endurance event of its own. Once labor was underway, I was taking turns holding K's hand during contractions, fetching water, food, or pillows as necessary, and finally, I got to be right there, helping hold the mother-to-be in position as the baby was born.
I know it's a cliché to say that this is life's greatest miracle. But being able to watch that tiny person come out of your friend's body, and see him take his first breath... well, it's bringing tears to my eyes (again) as I type it. It's miraculous. One moment there's one person in the bed. Then suddenly there are two. The little person who has just come into the world is delicate, and tiny, and perfect. You can't believe that this is what was causing your friend's tummy to bounce just the other day. You can't believe that this fragile creature, dependent on beings like us for food, shelter, and warmth, will one day be a fully-functional adult. Or that you, yourself, were once a helpless little bundle of flesh just like it.
Holding a newborn baby in your arms, particularly one that you saw emerge into this world just three hours ago, does something to your persepective. It takes your soul right out of your body, gives it a shake, and says, "This universe is a very cool place." It makes you grateful to live in a world where such little miracles happen every day.
I've seen plenty of newborns that look like a giant red raisin. I've been in the awkward position of smiling and agreeing with the parents that this unnaturally-colored blob they've got wrapped in pastel blankets is the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. But no one is going to have to tell any little white lies with this baby. Our new little friend in most definitely not a giant red raisin. The delivery was very quick, and he did not come out battered and bruised as some babies do. He's a very healthy shade of pink, with an adorable dimple in his chin and cute little lips (which look a lot like his mother's) and eyes that glimmer like a pair of polished gems.
A miracle.
 |
 |
 |
 |
This page is copyright 1998 by Gene Breshears. Photograph is copyright 1998 by Julie Rampke. All Rights Reserved.