After 25 Years...

Over 25 years I have learned
to never say never,
likewise with always,
due dates are like sale by dates,
you can hold your breath a really long time without even knowing it.

Over 25 years I have learned
pack only the essentials,
I cannot know enough,
it requires one solid email to know if it's a good fit,
when you judge someone, you force them to lie to you.

Over 25 years I have learned
a myriad of red flags to avoid,
there is no such thing as managing a birth,
emotional safety is a key component of physical safety,
managing expectations is not something everyone knows how to do.

Over 25 years I have learned
now is often not the right/best time,
bodily autonomy is paramount,
determination will find a way or make one,
relative and absolute risk are very different, yet both essential.

After 25 years I have
cried so many tears,
witnessed the birth of 1013 babies,
learned how to trust and love,
been changed in immeasurable and ineffable ways.

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December 8th marked 25 years since the birth of Cammie's twins; the first birth I attended in a midwife-esque capacity.

December 11th marked 25 years of heroin sobriety.

December 18th marked 25 years since I began my initial midwifery apprenticeship.

I welcome whatever lessons and firsts the next 25 years bring.

L'Shalom,

M. J-P