OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER
-MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Night You Were Born
The Night You Were Born
Dear Oliver,
I met your Mommy pretty late in her pregnancy with you. From the moment we met, she expressed how ready she was to meet you. We all thought you would be born very soon, however, you stayed nice and comfortable inside Mommy through the end of August, and then through Hurricane Irene which I thought I would have to go out in to get to your birth. But you had other plans.
Your Mommy, Daddy and big Brother Henry had been anxiously waiting your arrival for a few weeks before you decided it would be a good time to come. Then on September 4th you were ready. And I mean ready! Your mommy called me at 5:30pm to say she thought that it would be the night! About an hour later, she called again and said the contractions were 10 minutes apart. An hour later, they were 4 minutes apart! So we all left for the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital around 8:30pm, your mom was in very active labor. The contractions were about 2 minutes apart and strong. Your mommy was amazing through each one, moving around and coping beautifully. Not long after I arrived, Mommy said she needed to push. Daddy and Henry walked in just in time and after about 5 minutes of strong pushing, you were born - perfect in every way. The look of love and joy on Mommy and Daddy’s faces was priceless. When you were first born, you gave out a nice cry but then settled peacefully on your mommy’s chest and nursed for the next hour. It was a beautiful moment of bliss.
Happy Birthday Oliver!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
"Where I live, there are rainbows..."
"Where I live, there are rainbows..."
By B. Wong
I am an 80 year old grandmother of a dozen precious grandchildren ranging in ages from 4 days old to 27 years reflecting a rainbow of ethnic backgrounds – Chinese, Hawaiian, Spanish, English, German, Korean, Norwegian, Italian, and French. I was born in Paradise – in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu when Hawai’i was still a territory of the United States of America.
As a child, I lived on the beach at Paiko Drive, gathering seashells and catching tiny fishes. Every summer was spent on a ranch in Upcountry Maui. My spirit was able to expand by the sea, the sky and the wide-open spaces. There was time for dreaming and watching clouds by day and counting stars at night. I was introduced to the best of Portuguese culinary arts by Godmother Santos who bakes the most delicious bread in her outdoor brick oven. I was also introduced to Japanese cuisine by the Goyas, a family I lived with.
I was fortunate to have inherited the rich traditions of the Chinese, the Hawaiian and the Spanish from my forebears whose adventuresome spirits impelled them to come to our islands by sailing vessels from China and Spain. The Chinese brought their shrine of Buddha and the Spanish, the cross of Jesus Christ.
From the Chinese, I inherited their work ethic, their industriousness, love of study, deference to elders, a reserve, and an appreciation of the creative delicacies of the Chinese cuisine. My father, respected physician, worked 7 days a week for 26 years without ever taking a vacation.
From the Hawaiian, I inherited a love for the aina, for the ohana, family & children (my maternal grandmother cherished each of her 15 children), for the music and dance, for the unhurried way – time to listen, time to laugh, time to talk story, time to relax, time to enjoy simple things in life – ho’omanawanui (after my maternal Chinese grandfather died, my maternal grandmother reverted to her Hawaiian culture – language, dress and food – back to fish & poi).
From the Spanish I inherited a passion for God, a deep and abiding faith and love from His Church. Forever etched in my mind is my favorite painting of Jesus – El Prendimiento by the premier Spanish painter, Goya, which may be seen in the El Greco museum in Toledo, Spain.
From the American, I inherited my educational and spiritual formation. The Maryknoll sisters and priests from the East Coast – mostly Irish, nurtured my soul and brought me into a deeper relationship with God. As a child of 7, I was taught to sing ‘Jesus, Jesus, come to me, all my longing if for Thee’ – a simple hymn that would precipitate a momentous personal encounter 36 years later.
The Ursuline Sisters in Westchester, New York (an order founded by an Italian) completed my Higher Education in Fine Arts and led me into a deeper contemplative life.
An incomparable year at the Sorbonne in Paris, la plus belle ville du monde – an introduction to La Vie en Rose, a taste of the finest in French culture and the culinary arts, as well as the extensive subsequent travels around the world (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, the Samoas, Fiji, Tahiti, BoraBora, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and the Virgin Islands) enlarged my horizons and deepened my appreciation of all cultures. I was enriched by the best of every culture & since I was very adaptable by nature, it was easy to heed my mothers very wise counsel – “When in Rome, do as the Romans”.
So many people have touched my life and I have been shaped by their love – a love to transcends all cultural barriers – love, beauty and truth are universal, I am eternally grateful from the memories which continue to sustain and nourish me.
Now I have come full circle and am content to live a quiet and peace filled life bless by the sounds of silence in my garden by the Bay in Hawai’i Nui – for I live, there will always be rainbows. Grace a Dieu.
Beautiful vignettes from Mrs. Wong...I am so lucky to reap the benefit of my grandparents doing a favor for a couple of 18 year old girls over 30 years ago. So I share her vingettes that she wrote to help me with a project in college for my mulitcultural education class. I have learned more from her than I ever will in any class.
By B. Wong
I am an 80 year old grandmother of a dozen precious grandchildren ranging in ages from 4 days old to 27 years reflecting a rainbow of ethnic backgrounds – Chinese, Hawaiian, Spanish, English, German, Korean, Norwegian, Italian, and French. I was born in Paradise – in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu when Hawai’i was still a territory of the United States of America.
As a child, I lived on the beach at Paiko Drive, gathering seashells and catching tiny fishes. Every summer was spent on a ranch in Upcountry Maui. My spirit was able to expand by the sea, the sky and the wide-open spaces. There was time for dreaming and watching clouds by day and counting stars at night. I was introduced to the best of Portuguese culinary arts by Godmother Santos who bakes the most delicious bread in her outdoor brick oven. I was also introduced to Japanese cuisine by the Goyas, a family I lived with.
I was fortunate to have inherited the rich traditions of the Chinese, the Hawaiian and the Spanish from my forebears whose adventuresome spirits impelled them to come to our islands by sailing vessels from China and Spain. The Chinese brought their shrine of Buddha and the Spanish, the cross of Jesus Christ.
From the Chinese, I inherited their work ethic, their industriousness, love of study, deference to elders, a reserve, and an appreciation of the creative delicacies of the Chinese cuisine. My father, respected physician, worked 7 days a week for 26 years without ever taking a vacation.
From the Hawaiian, I inherited a love for the aina, for the ohana, family & children (my maternal grandmother cherished each of her 15 children), for the music and dance, for the unhurried way – time to listen, time to laugh, time to talk story, time to relax, time to enjoy simple things in life – ho’omanawanui (after my maternal Chinese grandfather died, my maternal grandmother reverted to her Hawaiian culture – language, dress and food – back to fish & poi).
From the Spanish I inherited a passion for God, a deep and abiding faith and love from His Church. Forever etched in my mind is my favorite painting of Jesus – El Prendimiento by the premier Spanish painter, Goya, which may be seen in the El Greco museum in Toledo, Spain.
From the American, I inherited my educational and spiritual formation. The Maryknoll sisters and priests from the East Coast – mostly Irish, nurtured my soul and brought me into a deeper relationship with God. As a child of 7, I was taught to sing ‘Jesus, Jesus, come to me, all my longing if for Thee’ – a simple hymn that would precipitate a momentous personal encounter 36 years later.
The Ursuline Sisters in Westchester, New York (an order founded by an Italian) completed my Higher Education in Fine Arts and led me into a deeper contemplative life.
An incomparable year at the Sorbonne in Paris, la plus belle ville du monde – an introduction to La Vie en Rose, a taste of the finest in French culture and the culinary arts, as well as the extensive subsequent travels around the world (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, the Samoas, Fiji, Tahiti, BoraBora, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and the Virgin Islands) enlarged my horizons and deepened my appreciation of all cultures. I was enriched by the best of every culture & since I was very adaptable by nature, it was easy to heed my mothers very wise counsel – “When in Rome, do as the Romans”.
So many people have touched my life and I have been shaped by their love – a love to transcends all cultural barriers – love, beauty and truth are universal, I am eternally grateful from the memories which continue to sustain and nourish me.
Now I have come full circle and am content to live a quiet and peace filled life bless by the sounds of silence in my garden by the Bay in Hawai’i Nui – for I live, there will always be rainbows. Grace a Dieu.
Beautiful vignettes from Mrs. Wong...I am so lucky to reap the benefit of my grandparents doing a favor for a couple of 18 year old girls over 30 years ago. So I share her vingettes that she wrote to help me with a project in college for my mulitcultural education class. I have learned more from her than I ever will in any class.
The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
I often hear my clients say that their doctors have told them there are no real risks associated with an epidural...which is just plain false.
Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
Know the facts!
Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
Know the facts!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Words every laboring woman should consider before they choose a care provider.....
"If a woman doesn’t look like a goddess during birth, then someone isn’t treating her right."
~ Ina May Gaskin
Your doctor may be well-known, and even well-liked but that does not mean he or is she is right for you. Find a care provider who treats you and your pregnancy gently. The way you are cared for during your pregnancy is a reflection of how you will be treated during labor. Do not ignore signs if you feel uncomfortable during your prenatal visits, or if you feel rushed in and out of each visit. There ARE doctors and midwives out there who will listen to you, help address your fears and answer each and every question you have.
"If a woman doesn’t look like a goddess during birth, then someone isn’t treating her right."
~ Ina May Gaskin
Your doctor may be well-known, and even well-liked but that does not mean he or is she is right for you. Find a care provider who treats you and your pregnancy gently. The way you are cared for during your pregnancy is a reflection of how you will be treated during labor. Do not ignore signs if you feel uncomfortable during your prenatal visits, or if you feel rushed in and out of each visit. There ARE doctors and midwives out there who will listen to you, help address your fears and answer each and every question you have.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Birth Ritual
Birth Ritual
New being, new citizen of the world, new carrier of cloud wisdom and moonstones, new flame of the universe, new eyes of animals too old to see beyond their footprints, new repetition
Of old ideas that people thought had died long ago, we stand before you, ready to protect your small breath of life, ready to teach you songs, ready to help you plow the fields cluttered with our mistakes. Your
Recent journey affirms our faith in ancient circles. You are the voice of us who tried to change the world. You are the continuity of seasons and migrations, the best or worst of all that has gone before. New being,
The ancestors are depending on you to surprise them. Little one, our prayers for you come with love and heartbreak. The world you enter is dangerous and filled with imbalance. Knowledge comes from experience, not from
Easy answers. Resist those who would have you blindly follow them, dear child of buffalo and hawks, ladybugs and fireflies. Turn instead to the rhythm of waves, the pattern of grass, the shape of clouds, the music of raindrops, and the color of autumn leaves. Strong
Mountains and saplings await you. The tongues of animals are anxious to speak to you and the river is eager to teach you dance. Learn from the vagaries of winds, the honking of geese, the dance of trembling leaves, and the way that shadows mystify.
New being, this all you will need to be at home in the world.
New being, this all you will need to recognize your song.
-Nancy Wood, Shaman's Circle
New being, new citizen of the world, new carrier of cloud wisdom and moonstones, new flame of the universe, new eyes of animals too old to see beyond their footprints, new repetition
Of old ideas that people thought had died long ago, we stand before you, ready to protect your small breath of life, ready to teach you songs, ready to help you plow the fields cluttered with our mistakes. Your
Recent journey affirms our faith in ancient circles. You are the voice of us who tried to change the world. You are the continuity of seasons and migrations, the best or worst of all that has gone before. New being,
The ancestors are depending on you to surprise them. Little one, our prayers for you come with love and heartbreak. The world you enter is dangerous and filled with imbalance. Knowledge comes from experience, not from
Easy answers. Resist those who would have you blindly follow them, dear child of buffalo and hawks, ladybugs and fireflies. Turn instead to the rhythm of waves, the pattern of grass, the shape of clouds, the music of raindrops, and the color of autumn leaves. Strong
Mountains and saplings await you. The tongues of animals are anxious to speak to you and the river is eager to teach you dance. Learn from the vagaries of winds, the honking of geese, the dance of trembling leaves, and the way that shadows mystify.
New being, this all you will need to be at home in the world.
New being, this all you will need to recognize your song.
-Nancy Wood, Shaman's Circle
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