Mother Blessing

Last night I went to a mother blessing. I have not attended one quite like this before and I wanted to respond to it and also share it with you.
I drove out to another town. It took a while through rain and traffic. The baby slept  the whole way and really the drive was wonderful in its quietness. The day had been harried and my nerves were shot so the drive was healing. I arrived perfectly on time which is rare for me. Then I went into my friend's house (the expectant mother) while she readied and we drove the rest of the way to the blessing together. When we arrived the house was already full of women. They were all so beautiful and the energy held a welcoming sweetness. Everyone was there to celebrate this beautiful mother and they were filled with well being, vulnerability, and also joy to give of themselves to her. In the kitchen drinks were being made, treats being prepared and a lovely one was preparing a crown of flowers. We had been asked to bring blessing words and some flowers for a crown and so we did. The crown was stunning. One of the most beautiful I have seen. The expectant mother was crowned and sat down on the floor in the middle of the room. Friends gathered round and one friend with a soul that has been refined in many fires danced around and with her (this mother is a dancer and so this ministered to her deeply). It is hard to explain the dance and hard to express the beauty of it especially if you have not taken part in a dance by one who's soul shines through every movement. I think everyone was in tears and all for their own reasons. This dance was just that beautiful and that raw.
This baby that is coming, every baby that is coming ~ is a miracle. This friend of mine ~ her heart had cried out for this baby for a long time. Each friend there had journeyed with her through this. Each individual there had seen her heart for what it was and longed right along with her for this precious one. When a baby comes it is usually celebrated in all its glory with a baby shower or before it comes it is celebrated in the same way, but there is something to be said for a mother blessing shower. This mother who has sacrificed her body for all the months, who is awaiting the labor with is pain and unknowns, a mother who is often deeply in need of some lifting up and nurturing. After the dance we got out our written words and read to her our blessings. They were heart felt and full of love and admiration of her journey and celebrated who she was in all her forms. To try to describe the feeling of the room is almost impossible but if you imagine feeling your happiest, most nurtured, most truly beautiful...I think that would have been how this sweet mother felt. I wish every mother was able to have friends and family like the ones who filled the living room yesterday evening. It was memorable and sacred and beautiful.
All you tired mothers ~ heavy with child ~ who are in need of a mother blessing ~ who will not have this opportunity ~ know that you are indeed wonderful. You are amazing, lovely, precious, vulnerable and seen by the One who loves you the most. You have sacrificed much and are doing well. Be blessed and filled with strength. Be crowned with beauty and dignity. You are blessed. xo