Welcome to the World, Shayna Ann!

[RevCheesehead]

Today, I had the great honor of being with a family during the delivery of their daughter. The mom was in a high-risk category, and had developed all sorts of problems along the way. Because there were so many concerns, they asked me to be there for moral support.

When I arrived (about 4 pm), Mom had been in labor since early morning. She was exhausted, stressed, and in tears. The dad was holding things together, Grandma was hovering in an overly-helpful manner, brother was playing video games, and sister was a nervous wreck.

So I sat on the floor next to Mom, prayed with them, and held her hand as she endured the contractions. They had her hooked up to a fetal monitor. When the nurse looked at the readout, she noticed a distinct change in readings, which corresponded to my prayer. O8)

At that point, Mom opted for the epidural, and she was able to rest and relax for an hour or two. When the time came for delivery, she was ready. She pushed twice - and whoosh - Shayna was born!

For those of you who have gone through this, you know that moment - when the whole world is still, waiting for her first breath. It felt like an eternity. But once she cried, her brother (age 9) began jumping up and down. He ran over and hugged me, and then began to cry himself. Soon, the whole family was in tears, as this fetus became a newborn baby.

I am still in awe of this marvelous calling. To be present at some of the most intimate moments of life is a high honor. I have sat and prayed with people who are dying, and I have twice been present at the moment of death. Today was the completion of the circle. I was present to welcome a new life into this world - and I am in awe.

Welcome to the world, Shayna Ann.
Born January 20, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

ON EDIT: I just got a call from another parishoner whose dad is dying. I am once again out the door, but will return later. This pastoring stuff is exhausting, but wonderful.

[auntAgonist]

1. awesome indeed.

speechless.

aA

[elshiva]

2. God bless you Rev. and Shayna Ann!

:hug: Thanks for being there, Rev. That means a lot to have the pastor visit the hospital. :hug: :loveya:

God please grant Shayna Ann a blessed and lovely life. Hope her mom gets some rest!

[SeattleGirl]

3. Thank you, Rev!

I've thought about this off and on all day, and was praying that things went well for mom and baby. Obviously, they did! And bless you for what you do! :loveya:

[Ptah]

4. The birth of a child is the closest I will ever be to a miracle

Thank you for your pastoring, Cheesehead.

[Heidi]

5. Bless you, RevCheesehead.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. How wonderful your story is, my dear Rev!

I was present at my grandson's birth, and it is just as you say.....

The circle of life is indeed complete........

They were so fortunate to have you there to welcome their new daughter!

Blessings on you, and on all of them....especially Shayna Ann!

:grouphug:

[fortyfeetunder]

7. Awesome story, Rev.

Thank you for being a source of support to those in need!

[Crazy Guggenheim]

8. Glad it turned out!! YAY!

:popcorn: :woohoo:

[RevCheesehead]

9. UPDATE - second situation

Right after I posted this thread, I got a call that a member's dad was dying. I drove over to pick her up, and we got to the hospital around 1:30. He had died about 15 minutes before we got there.

It's been a very long day, and I am literally wiped out. I'll probably be back tomorrow, later in the day. I think I want to sleep all day.

Good night, friends. :hug:

[NMMNG]

10. Congratulations Rev!

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

11. I got tears in my eyes just reading this

I know you feel very blessed by both being present at the end of a life, and now at the beginning, but I am certain the families you have been with at these moments feel blessed that you have been there with them!

O8)

[RevCheesehead]

12. Thanks, KW

It's emotionally and physically draining, but also the most amazing kind of experience. I wouldn't want to do anything else but this. :)

[lildreamer316]

21. SECONDED

Blessed are you! Truly a circle of life......

[Jade Fox]

13. Seeing a child born is one of the great experiences....

Watching a friend's son being born, I'll never forget the look on his face when he was completely out. It was like, "Holy moly, where am I?"

[peacefreak]

14. Rev, you brought me to tears.

Welcome Little Shayna, and Peaceful Rest for the gentleman who passed. How
amazing you were at both ends of life in one day.

[trof]

15. I was there when my daughter was born.

It was back in 1971, when that sort of thing was not the norm for fathers.
We had to search for an ob/gyn who would permit it.
We found Dr. Kwo Chung Sun.

It's a long story that I may post here some day.
Happy outcome for all.
:-)

[RevCheesehead]

16. My dad wanted to be there when I was born.

Mom & Dad lost their first child (stillborn), and they were obviously very concerned about me. He said the hardest thing in the world was having to wait in the waiting room... but their pastor sat with him the whole time.

Maybe in some way, I've been able to repay that debt, by paying it forward.

[Olney Blue]

17. Rev, you deserve a good night's sleep- take care.

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

20. Thanks, Olney

Now ya know why I missed the KOEB Friday - both shows. :hug:

I slept a lot today, but I'm still emotionally exhausted.

[Olney Blue]

22. Yes, you were missed!

I can see why you are exhausted- the beginning and the end of life-
opposite extremes of emotion!

[RevCheesehead]

24. Something which struck me today...

That when Shayna was born, she immediately went into her mother's arms.
When David died, he was lying in bed in a semi-fetal position, with his arms wrapped, as if holding a child.

Both moments: truly astonishing and beautiful.

[Shine]

18. Blessed be Shayna Ann.

I got all misty reading your story, Rev. Yes, it's an honor and privilege to be of service at those profound life transitions. How wonderful and what a beautiful gift, indeed. It is a sacred circle.


O8)

[LaraMN]

19. What an amazing thing to be a part of!

You lucky duck!

When I was in the hospital after I had my last baby, they had taken him to the nursery for an echocardiogram and while I lay in bed I heard another woman screaming, followed shortly thereafter by the sound of her baby's first cries.

I felt awed and as though I'd just shared in something very special, simply hearing the event. I had to chuckle to myself, seeing as I'd just had my OWN baby, and here I was, all riled up over the birth of some stranger's baby! :rofl: It's an amazing moment.:loveya:

[wildhorses]

23. I got chillbumps reading this

the circle of life...the birthing of one and the passing of another



reminds me of some nights I have had in the ER

[Missy Vixen]

25. Welcome to the world, Shayna Ann!

This reminds me of a quote I usually write in new baby cards.

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." -Carl Sandburg

RevCheesehead, I hope that there will be an extra star in your crown for all this. :hug:

Julie

[RevCheesehead]

26. nope - the reward was in being there.

I just wanted to share the moment with anyone who's been there in that awesome space.