Hello again, Friends!
Well!
I want to get back after blogging, but I seriously hardly know where to start…
Three months ago I stepped off into summer and summer grabbed me up and swirled me away!
Family! Friends! Births! Book signings! Introductions! Reunions! Talks! Vacation! More family!
I want to tell you all about it, but I seriously, seriously hardly know where to start. Sitting here now, I realize I’m going to have to run fetch my journal just so I can remember the details, since all that comes to me as I attempt to look back is a great big glorious blur.
I believe I’ll begin with family…
It was deeply meaningful to reconnect with my children and their spouses and my grandchildren. Meaningful in a way that soothed something in me I hadn’t realized was ruffled. I cannot be with these people all of the time or even most of the time, and I feel I’ve accepted that. And I’m not much of a misser, either, so it’s not like I sit around pining for them–wherever I find myself is where I am, and that’s what I focus on.
But slipping again into their worlds–especially into the worlds of the littlest ones–revealed a part of my soul that longs for them, I suspect, continually.
I was relieved and so grateful when they–again, especially the two newest–clearly remembered me, and I reveled in the many, many moments I was able to play with them as they squealed and laughed and raced about, or the hours I spent with one or another of them strapped against my chest as I walked about or rocked with them, tiny fingers kneading the backs of my arms or reaching up to touch my face… huge, luminous eyes gazing into mine… the flutter of eyelashes against my skin and the whisper of sweet baby breath filling the hollow of my throat as they drifted off to sleep…
The hearts of my hearts of my heart. Truly.
I attended a birth with little Elyse strapped to my chest–the birth of one of Hannah’s clients–a woman I met while she was still a little girl. It was a gorgeous water birth involving flower petals and music and sparkle lights and a toddler, plus my first chance to witness the magic of a cord burning. Be sure to scroll through to the close of the post as Mama was so kind as to allow me to share a few photographs, taken by the wildly talented Brooke Collier of Sister Birth Support & Story.
In the midst of the nourishing family time was a generous serving of nourishing friend time, enjoyed mostly at the book signing events. To say I was surprised and blessed to tears by the turn-outs is such an understatement! It was beyond wonderful to connect again with friends–many of whom are also former clients–as well as connect for the first time with many new friends. So many exclamations of joy! So many hugs!
Hannah allowed me to tag along with her as she worked, attending a handful of prenatals and postpartums and another birth. I didn’t think much of it till we hit our first dusty road, but then as we passed the horses and buggies, the homes and the barns and the fields of the families I spent so many years serving, the tears welled into my eyes.
For all that, Steve and I still managed to steal away for a vacation. We spent eight amazing days paddling our canoe among the mysteries of Isle Royale National Park–a sparkling gem set within mighty Lake Superior–then another six days trekking for miles on end amidst the stunning glory of Zion and Arches National Parks.
I was able to return again to kids and grandkids in Michigan for nearly the entire month of August where, with the rush of all but one of the book signings past, we were able to slow the pace and relax into one another. We walked among the Ledges, we camped beside Lake Michigan, we had fires and and beer and birthday cakes and many long and wholesome talks.
I woke this morning and was flooded with a fresh measure of wonder and appreciation for the life God has granted me to live–so filled with gifts! Sooooooo filled with gifts…
I thanked Him for that…
And I want to thank you, too. Thank you for honoring me with your presence as I spend this season sharing some about those gifts ♥
Now! Here are those photographs! Be sure to take a moment when you’ve wiped your eyes to check out Brooke’s website, especially if you’re within reach of her in Southwest Michigan!
Kim Woodard Osterholzer, Colorado Springs Homebirth Midwife and Author
Books by Kim:
Homebirth: Commonly Asked Questions
A Midwife in Amish Country: Celebrating God’s Gift of Life
Nourish + Thrive: Happy, Healthy Childbearing
One Little Life at a Time: Recommendations + Record Keeping for Aspiring Homebirth Midwives
This post reminds me just how much I enjoy and value your writing, Kim. I found my eyes misting up at the beautiful way you painted the scene of the birth as intimately as Brooke captured with her stunning photographs (they’re GORGEOUS, Brooke!). The way you write, Kim, leaves me breathless at times. This truly was one of your “journal moments.”
Honey! Thanks for being my main fan ♥
Oh, I am breathless from these glorious photos! I especially love the tandem nursing with the toddler’s hand on the newborn. Oh. My. Gosh. Kim, it so wonderful to get to see you over the summer, and to reunite with your parents and siblings. I know your summer held so very much, and you made many memories. I look forward to reading about more of the summer…your writing is still so lovely! <3
Well, that came out weird – wordpress put my id info instead of my name! The comment above was from Karen Sitts. 😀
Oh, Karen! It was sooo wonderful to see you, too! Thank you with all my heart for your amazing support and encouragement ♥
Oh Kim, how beautiful! All of it! Happy for this time of refreshment in your life. I am so proud of you my friend. I was thinking this week, how we truly do weep with those who weep and laugh with others as they experience joy. My heart smiles deeply to hear you doing well. Thank you for being brave and living well. Your story helps me want to do the same. I told a friend this week, who is in just the toughest season, that you personify for me, the reason that it’s worth it – to choose joy and life even through our disappointments. Not just for our own victory, but that others would have evidence through our life, that we have a reason to hope that transcends our circumstances. I know Jesus gets the credit for that hope, but thank you for your brave choices.
I love this. It makes sense that you would then write about your times of joy as well as the hurdles. Both messages reinforce each other and move me deeply. I am a fan not just because we love you … but God’s faithfulness to you and the fruit of your labors, help me to want to dig in, set my teeth, trust and fight for life. Self pity is a thief. Maybe you have had that struggle and have won that wrestling match, but others that are caught in its clutches need examples of why it’s worth it to rise.
What an affirming, encouraging message! Thank you, Jessica. It blesses me to know you recognize the “how” within my story. I treasure the way God walks with me through EVERYTHING every moment, and am grateful for the experiences–all of the experiences–that have revealed His presence to me, even if I’d have selected something of a different set of experiences had I been given the opportunity to have made such selections. The hope others will discover Him within the circumstances of their lives is very much a reason I’m willing to share ♥
So wonderful to hear from you again Kim! I so understand about the grands who just get into the deep places of our hearts & we need to just squeeze them! I agree, we will long for them continually….an extension of our own children. It was great to see you for a few moments in BC this summer! Looking forward to reading more from you!
It was sooo good to see you, too, Marigene ♥
Your writing is a true gift! You have such a beautiful way with words. Thank you for sharing your art and your heart with us! xooxox
Oh! Thank you, Danica! I believe you know I’m in awe of YOUR amazing gifts ♥
Friends, Danica Donnelly is a birth photographer and blogger! She may be found at on Facebook and at https://www.danicadonnelly.com, as well as at http://www.facebook.com/DanicaDonnellyPhotography.