Another beautiful African baby was born at Chitokoloki. It
was a hard labour, but the mother barely made a sound. Although her husband is
not present with her at the birth, he may be nearby and must not hear her
scream. I placed the crying baby on her, but she barely looked at him. Her
emotions, which had been pent up for sometime now, continued in their seclusion.
Instead, a sense of satisfaction and relief rested on her face. The Zambian
nurses looked at me with anticipation. Why was I placing the baby on the
mother? Normally they take the baby immediately away to weigh and dress him. The
midwife inside of me resisted. I couldn’t imagine the stark transition a baby
must make from his cozy world in the womb, to a loud cool environment. It only
makes sense to allow the baby to feel his mother’s presence, if at all possible.
But I’m slowly learning that just because sometime makes sense, it doesn’t make
it an absolute. I reluctantly gave in, and handed the baby over to the nurse.
The mother looked relieved, and I had to smile at myself, realizing I had much
to learn with this new culture.
Several minutes later she jumped off the bed, as if she had
never given birth! And then came my favorite part of the whole childbirth
experience here in Zambia: the Granny Dance! As soon as we walked into the main
maternity ward with the new baby, the granny’s and relatives began their
celebration dance! I think they get a good laugh at my sorry attempt to join
in! I love how much joy it brings to the whole experience. It’s a good reminder
to me that in the midst of a sorrow, loss and pain, He also gives moments of
joy. And one day, when time and seasons have past, these moments will turn into
Everlasting Joy!
There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under the heavens: a time
to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to uproot. A time
to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build. A time
to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance, – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
1 comment:
Hey ... speaking of dancing ... which by the way sounds beautiful ... a Jamancan group used our church for a Sunday evening ... this black guy picks WHO ... Henry to ask to show him this little dance shuffle thing ... I got my camera out of course ... too funny ... he says ... "you gotta loosin up man " ... we need people like that to loosen us up:) You have a beautiful gift of writing my dear. Love you so far away ... Prayin:)
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