I resonate with these thoughts. The desire to keep those most intimate parts of life sacred is a big reason why I left social media. I love how you describe the slow realization like a sunrise...not the cold sterility of a plastic test so often associated with disappointment instead of the joy it ought to be.
I don't want to find out genders or share names before our babies come. I've always liked the idea of not telling anyone until its really obvious!
"To be open to life is to allow it to exist as a mystery." - I love the way you put that. My husband always said babies are the only true surprises in life - not just their gender, but what they look like, their personalities, every little bit is the unfolding of a beautiful story.
Keturah, I have been silently following you and your writings for a year now (which just happened to be the most transformational year of my life) and have found so much peace and inspiration in your words and worldview. I was just married to my husband a week ago today and find myself too staring into the endless possibilities of carrying a new generation into God’s world. I mostly wanted to pop in to let you know how dearly I have held your words to my heart in the awe-inspiring, and at times painful, insanity of the past year. If you and your husband ever find yourselves (or want to) in Southern Arizona, Northern Minnesota, or South Dakota.. We would love to host y’all for a spell! We’re partially nomadic ourselves and live in all three locations throughout the year. May God bless you both on your travels❤️
This was a healing read. Thank you. I was a homebirther with no home! My husband and I stayed with friends when I was pregnant. I gave birth at my sisters-in-law's house. My daughter was born in the same house her cousins were born two weeks before Christmas. I never decorated a nursery or picked out a rocking chair. In order to prepare I went on walks, painted pictures, I prayed and little by little I felt myself leaving, fading from the world as I drew nearer to the veil between life and death. During transition I felt like I was calling her in for dinner. No ultrasounds or dilatation checks or beeping. My midwife (a family friend) waited until she saw that look in my eyes and then she slowly and silently laced up her apron and rolled up her sleeves. My girl heard her mama's call and arrived safely earthside. On Christmas Eve we moved again to stay with more family.
My grandma said she wishes people would wait and not announce right away, she said it is a special time when for a few months only the mom and dad know. I really like your article and think I would do similarly if God grants me the honor of having children one day. It would be sweet if we brought back the birth announcements by mail, and other traditions you mentioned.
Beautiful writing and I completely share your sentiments about baby (over)sharing! Everything seems so loud and vulgar in our contemporary society. Keeping to yourself, keeping certain things hidden from the public seems like a true luxury these days. It reminds me of one of the Emily Dickinson poems called "I'm nobody!", specifically these two lines:
How dreary - to be - Somebody!
How public - like a Frog
It seems like majority of people are like this "frog". And we normalized it, because it leads to profit.
As paradoxically as it sounds, thank you for your (and your husband's!) openness to share your worldview.
I resonate with these thoughts. The desire to keep those most intimate parts of life sacred is a big reason why I left social media. I love how you describe the slow realization like a sunrise...not the cold sterility of a plastic test so often associated with disappointment instead of the joy it ought to be.
I don't want to find out genders or share names before our babies come. I've always liked the idea of not telling anyone until its really obvious!
Leaving social media feels like getting away with something. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.
I agree! As though if everyone realized what freedom this is, they would do it too.
"To be open to life is to allow it to exist as a mystery." - I love the way you put that. My husband always said babies are the only true surprises in life - not just their gender, but what they look like, their personalities, every little bit is the unfolding of a beautiful story.
Keturah, I have been silently following you and your writings for a year now (which just happened to be the most transformational year of my life) and have found so much peace and inspiration in your words and worldview. I was just married to my husband a week ago today and find myself too staring into the endless possibilities of carrying a new generation into God’s world. I mostly wanted to pop in to let you know how dearly I have held your words to my heart in the awe-inspiring, and at times painful, insanity of the past year. If you and your husband ever find yourselves (or want to) in Southern Arizona, Northern Minnesota, or South Dakota.. We would love to host y’all for a spell! We’re partially nomadic ourselves and live in all three locations throughout the year. May God bless you both on your travels❤️
This was a healing read. Thank you. I was a homebirther with no home! My husband and I stayed with friends when I was pregnant. I gave birth at my sisters-in-law's house. My daughter was born in the same house her cousins were born two weeks before Christmas. I never decorated a nursery or picked out a rocking chair. In order to prepare I went on walks, painted pictures, I prayed and little by little I felt myself leaving, fading from the world as I drew nearer to the veil between life and death. During transition I felt like I was calling her in for dinner. No ultrasounds or dilatation checks or beeping. My midwife (a family friend) waited until she saw that look in my eyes and then she slowly and silently laced up her apron and rolled up her sleeves. My girl heard her mama's call and arrived safely earthside. On Christmas Eve we moved again to stay with more family.
My grandma said she wishes people would wait and not announce right away, she said it is a special time when for a few months only the mom and dad know. I really like your article and think I would do similarly if God grants me the honor of having children one day. It would be sweet if we brought back the birth announcements by mail, and other traditions you mentioned.
Have you read likemotherlikedaughter.org? She is Catholic and talks like this on birth control.
Women crossed the plains, pregnant and with babies. We are not meant to be just ornamental. We are meant to be matriarchs, the mother of nations.
I will be sure to check her out - thanks for the recommendation and the encouragement!!
Loved this! Thanks!
Beautiful writing and I completely share your sentiments about baby (over)sharing! Everything seems so loud and vulgar in our contemporary society. Keeping to yourself, keeping certain things hidden from the public seems like a true luxury these days. It reminds me of one of the Emily Dickinson poems called "I'm nobody!", specifically these two lines:
How dreary - to be - Somebody!
How public - like a Frog
It seems like majority of people are like this "frog". And we normalized it, because it leads to profit.
As paradoxically as it sounds, thank you for your (and your husband's!) openness to share your worldview.
I like your perspective on this!
Yes! Live Life and Love (sometimes joyous, sometimes painful almost always difficult but always good.)