In a message dated 12/6/2006 8:04:49 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

My own  personal experiences were that when my babies were born at home,  my
visitors tended to be close friends who felt comfortable "invading"  the
privacy of my home

One of my most cherished memories as a young girl happened when I was 12  
years old and in 7th grade.  I babysat for my next door neighbor's children  and 
she became sort of a "mother-mentor" to me.  She was a very "natural"  mother, 
and she had all but her first child at home.  (this was 1980)   When she had 
her third child, I waited excitedly to meet my newest charge.   She taught me 
about pregnancy, childbirth, homemaking. (my own mother was quite  "modern" 
and of course she was "only" my mother if you know what I mean).   I rode my 
bike home for lunch each day from school, and one morning as I rode  up, her 
mother came out and called me over.  She said Cheryl had a surprise  for me.  I 
went inside and Cheryl beckoned me into her bedroom.  There  she was, holding 
little Jesse.  He was less than a half hour old.  He  wasn't all polished and 
ready for visitors, he was happily nursing and Cheryl  looked radiant.  What a 
wonderful lesson for a 12 year old girl who only  knew about hospitals and 
formula to "have a baby".  I saw the beauty in  that room, her mother, her 
husband, the midwife standing back, and her two older  children sitting reverently on 
the bed.  If I have ever felt the Spirit of  God, or whatever higher power 
you believe in, I felt it that day.  26 years  and 4 children later, I still 
remember the absolute beauty of that moment.   I have never had the privilege of 
having my own homebirth due to high risks  beyond my control, but I have 
successfully breastfed all but the very first  one.  Cheryl probably has no idea 
the profound impact she had on my  life.  She probably never expected that I 
would make my life's work based  on the experience she honored me with that day.  
 
I don't know why, I just felt I needed to share that "story".   Whenever we 
feel we aren't making a difference, or that no one is listening, we  need to 
remember that in the most innocent of settings can be all the difference  in the 
world.  We never feel like we are doing enough, but differences  don't 
necessarily need to be made in leaps and bounds, it's the little  differences that 
can make the most impact.
 
God bless each and every one of you as you impact our world.  :)
 
Renee Drake RN CLC
Early Head Start Health Resource Specialist
Glenn County California

 
"If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the  unique 
challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more  gently, 
with more love, patience, tolerance, and care".

Marvin J.  Ashton


“Motherhood is the greatest potential influence  either for good or ill in 
human life. The mother's image is the first that  stamps itself on the unwritten 
page of the young child's mind. It is her caress  that first awakens a sense 
of security; her kiss, the first realization of  affection; her sympathy and 
tenderness, the first assurance that there is love  in the world.” 

David O. McKay


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