Day One Hundred and Twenty Six

On Saturday afternoon friends of mine gathered at Avalon Farm to celebrate my upcoming labor and the birth of the munchkin.  It was a beautiful day and I was touched to see so many of my friends gathered in one place saying inspirational things to and about me.  These pictures show some of the key parts of the blessingway.

 We all sat in a circle and the women took turns sharing an inspirational poem or quote to help me get ready for the labor and re-entry into motherhood.  Here Jodi is reading a beautiful book that has pictures by one of our favorite children's book illustrators.  This was special to me in so many ways! 

Another part of the ceremony was that everyone added a bead to a necklace for me to wear during the labor.  As they put on their bead they shared a word that they felt described me.  I was honored to hear words like grounded, calm, patient and happy.  I certainly felt uplifted!   

At the end we stood in a circle and connected ourselves together with string.  We each tied a piece of the string around our wrist, agreeing to keep it on until the baby is born.  I have done this in the past at other blessingways, and I have liked thinking of the mother-to-be each time I looked at my wrist.  This time I like thinking of my friends supporting me when I see the string on my wrist.