By Nora McNeill
A baby is coming, a new passenger on Earth, a new life’s beginning, what blessing, what worth.
A simple, humble process, a path we’ve all traveled, now calls the attention of all those involved.
The first thing you’ll notice as the process progresses, soft little tufts of a new baby’s tresses.
The entire head is birthed in due order, sometimes explosively, some take forever!
A moment of rest for the mother now comes as she summons the strength to finally be done.
She pushes and strains to finish her labor, then shoulders come out and the pushing is over.
The rest of the body glides out, no resistance, as I glance at my watch to document existence.
And then comes that moment, that moment of awe, a moment that’s frozen like a movie on pause.
Everyone stops breathing to witness that breath, the baby, now crying, relief at its best.
Profound celebration is what follows next, a family together and so richly blessed.
Looks of amazement, kisses and hugs, touching and cuddling, immeasurable love.
I stand in wonder of what I’ve just seen, another great miracle, why now, why me?
Why was I chosen and given this honor, to watch time be frozen and love be the conqueror?
So what is it like, that moment of birth? A wrestling, a straining, a cry for relief,
Trauma and triumph, joy beyond belief!
