Growing up was hard, but good. We lived just above the poverty line, but we made it work. I had dogs, a yard and a fun childhood. I had very good, loving parents. But, when I think back to this time, I think mostly of my mom. My childhood memories of her are as a hurting, torn up woman, struggling to keep it all together. She had lost a baby boy, her husband was always …....
I saw her every day. Occasionally, we would acknowledge one another; a brief nod, a half smile and a little wave but no real conversation. There was so much I wanted to ask her but, for weeks, I struggled to even find the confidence to approach her and say ‘hello’. Mind you, we both had plenty to occupy our time. Both of our children had cancer and were long-term residents ....
As a midwife I became skilled at intuitively recognising when a women was entering the transition stage of labour. In some cases the established rhythm of contractions and rest would pause and the stillness brought a deeper rest or time to reposition and regroup in preparation for birth. In other cases a crescendo occurs that if not harnessed can lead to an unwanted, obstructed....
As the oldest daughter in a family of seven children my journey into motherhood began at a very early age. I was three years old when my mother gave birth to twins and it was at this time that my sense of responsibility for the care and nurture of others began in earnest. I didn’t mind. I loved babies and children and I still do. But looking back I now see that as I took &hel....
I was so excited to go and in typical teen-girl fashion, I had carefully chosen my summer outfit, a new bikini, cute hat and sandals that matched. I was ready, Water Park here I come. When you are a freshman in high school, all of these details matter because you never know when you might just meet, ‘the one’ and just in case today was the day I needed to look awesome! Unfo....
