I remember thinking to myself as a teenager that the days
could not pass more slowly. I was always looking forward to the next day before
the moments of THIS day had come to
pass. The sun never rose with the speed and efficiency that my teen self
desired.
I’ll be honest. I had
some of those moments during my 5-week stay here in St. Lucia. And now, on the
morning of my departure, I’m finding that I’m feeling torn between leaving and
my desire to stick around just a leeeetle bit longer.
Not knowing what to anticipate, I came here with a slightly
best-than-the-worst-case scenario in my mind.
Anything would be an improvement over what I had forecasted in my mind’s
eye. I tried my best to arrive here
without lofty expectations. I failed.
As it turns out, I came set on having a certain kind of experience. I came to catch a million babies. I came to dive deeper into self, to examine
my role as an emerging midwife. I came
to share a smile, some warmth & laughter with total strangers. I came to
watch & learn & do. I came to
explore another side of midwifery; to see how St. Lucian midwives usher babies
earthside.
While I am moderately disappointed that the babies were
reluctant to come out of hiding during my stay here, the midwives are bright
eyed and bushy tailed, full of gratitude for the respite they received. When the babies come raining down and out these
women work HARD & rarely do they have time to catch their breath
before it’s on to the next. They deserve
a break! (Selfishly though, it’s
unfortunate that Paula & I seemed to be their “good luck” charms in that
regard.)
We get what we need though, yes? Hard to swallow when what you get is a
spoonful of raw garlic when you dipped your silver into the sweet hibiscus
honey pot. Regardless, the experience was a rich one. The gifts are still unfolding, and will take
some time yet to fully come to the light of day.
My life has been touched by the beauty & generosity of
the people here in St. Lucia. I have
enjoyed getting to know some of the midwives; grateful that they would offer up
some vulnerability of their own in painting a portrait of a life steeped in
dreams for something more. Delighted by
their passion, their joy, their humanity...
This overseas midwifery adventure will not end with St.
Lucia. No, it is just the
beginning. Doors continue to open where
I didn’t know they existed. As long as
they continue to do so, I hope to find myself wandering with an unfettered
heart and ready to receive more of this bounty of grace, humility & peace.
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| Me, with RNMs:Frederick, Henry, Edwards, and Sister Gervais |
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| Merka, Mary & Paula |
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| PPB, Sister James and RNM Alfred |
