Tuesday, November 19, 2013

So there was this dad...

There was this dad, who wanted to be involved.  He was optimistic.  He was excited.  He was totally fantastic.

http://tranquilseasons.com/DadsAndDoulas.html

Then, labor commenced in the middle of the night and he had just returned home from a grueling double shift.  Mom woke him after doing her best to allow a 45 minute nap and he was groggy.  So groggy, he is later reported to have grabbed Nintendo charger cords in place of phone chargers.  He forgot to put pants on.  He might not have had his eyes open while driving to the hospital.  He barely said a word.

He was perfect.

Standing with his hand on mom's arm...  She relaxed into a puddle.  He didn't have to speak.  His love and support filled the room.  Her group of guardians encircled her while her body and mind did all the hard work of natural labor.  When she couldn't go farther, he gave her strength with his touch.

Dad didn't have much to say, but was a steady, calm, pillar of security for his family.

Then, we met to talk about the birth a week or so after they returned home from the hospital.  Dad shouted "What about me?!  I gave birth that day!  I went through it all!"  We all laughed, but I know deep inside, it's completely serious.  He did.  All dads do.  That's what makes them great.  They are often silent, but it doesn't mean they aren't laboring.  Their kind of laboring is not outward, but inward.  It's amazing.  How often we overlook the daddies.

You, dear dad...  You are the unsung hero.  I couldn't be more proud of how you gave birth that day.

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