Yesterday J. and I hosted a Baby Blessing party for our friend S. who is having a baby in June. About 15 of S.’s friends came in the afternoon for food and goddess-y rituals that included painting her belly and creating a “birthing necklace” from beads that we each brought. Joe and I cooked quiche, salads, focaccia, and three kinds of cookies. ”My “chill out” bale (otherwise known as the TV room) was the perfect venue for our rituals (as soon as we covered the TV with a sarong, that is). The room’s comfy couches are arranged in a circle so everyone was able to sit comfortably and face the mother to be. On the center coffee table we placed bowls of water surrounded by flowers. One by one, we each lighted a candle and said a prayer for S. before floating the candles in the bowls. It was lovely to have the opportunity to gather together so many beautiful women and honor the friend we love so dearly. Many of us expressed wonder and respect for the conscious integrity with which S. has taken on this pregnancy. I suppose most mothers approach their pregnancies with integrity, but it takes a special woman to commit to having a natural birth in Bali. S. is planning to have the baby at home in her bathtub, with only her midwife and boyfriend at her side. You go girl!
No comments:
Post a Comment