LJ-DW Idol Thanksgiving Week Optional Entry: Thankful

Dear HoneyB, I’m not a super religious person, however I know I am spiritual. In your life, you will be raised to understand there are many ways to worship and praise. Therefore you will also be spiritual. At midnight I said a mental prayer that all the workers in the hospital who were taking care of all of us would use sound judgement and best practices if faced with challenging decisions and duties, especially while we attempted sleep with our guard slightly down. Later at 1 AM, when your mom’s contractions weren’t progressing, I found spirituality and asked the Universe to keep your mom comfortable but also to make the medicine work. At 2:00 when your monitor showed a de-cell in your heart rate I prayed to my ancestors for direction and strength. Five nurses came dashing in to check on you. You were fine. I prayed you would stay fine. At 3:00, while your dad dozed, your mom labored quietly and your aunt fretted while never taking her eyes off the monitor, I asked for protection and wisdom. At 3:30, when the doctor determined it was time to start pushing, your aunt held your mom’s hand. I held one leg. A nurse held her other. Your dad and a student in residency looked on. Deep cleansing breath... 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 We helped your mom push, and during that time I used yoga breathing and prayed to all the major Bible “heroes” like Moses, Abraham, Jesus and Mary for their blessings and kindness. I even prayed to the picture on the birthing room wall showing two nuns holding babies in a field of flowers. Maybe one of those nuns was Mother Teresa. She’d have some power. And finally your little head crowned. Big breath, and 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10... Your mom gave three final pushes, and you slipped forth into our little part of the world. The cord encircled your neck, but your heart beat steadily. The doctor quickly unfurled you, and you grunted. Then you gave a short cry. Best sound ever! And we are incredibly thankful that everything we asked for and then some came true. We have beautiful you. Miraculous you. Precious, delicate and strong you. They weighed and measured and took your temperature. Your apgar score was fine. You’re a healthy newborn. We love you. My G-d How we love you! Thanks be to every power in this universe who contributed to this adored child’s arrival into life from the skilled medical providers to those who developed all the amazing technology. I am in awe of this day, and I am forever grateful to have experienced this.