It's like a Christmas letter, but you don't have to figure out what to do with it when you're don'e reading.

Transition

Jennie called tonight, and I had to snatch the phone out of Max's hand. He was simply not relaying information fast enough. Her due date was December 30, and we've been a little jumpy around here when the phone rings.

Well, she's in the hospital, getting ready to be induced in the morning. Her plan is to try to go natural as long as she can stand it. With pitocin on the docket, I...wished her the best. Then I gave her the best useless advice I could think of.

"Remember this: when you feel totally panicky, and like there is no way you can possibly do this, it's probably almost time to push. Four times I've hit transition, and panicked every single time. I always forget that's what it is though."

See what I mean? Totally useless information. Because if I couldn't remember that, even the fourth time around, when I was 38, how on earth is she supposed to remember it, there on the threshold of motherhood, all of 18 years old?

What I wanted was to be there, to hold her hand and brush back her hair and promise her she will be okay. That's not really my place, and her mother will be there, but it's what I wish I could do.

I gave her my love and hung up the phone, and stood there in the kitchen. I was in the middle of making dinner, and so befuddled that the concept of pumpkin muffins felt like advanced calculus. As a matter of fact, when I attempted the muffins, I discovered just before I scooped the batter into the muffin tins that I'd failed to put any sugar in. I was able to stir it in at the last minute, a technique I recommend if your goal is oddly textured muffins.

Tonight I am unsettled - distracted and sad and hopeful and scared. I don't know what to do with myself, and Clay and I are orbiting each other in sober silence. Neither of us knows what to say, and both of us are raw at the heart with helpless longing.

If there is consolation tonight, as we wait, it is this: for once I am able to remember. As this baby works his way to the air, I finally am old enough and wise enough not to forget.

Fear is not the truth. Transition always feels impossible.

 

Comments

KG

"It really is like labor, I thought. It's impossible, and you go ahead and do it anyway."

I'm plagiarizing your quote from your post about leaving Tre at camp in July...

I too had my fourth at 38. That was not useless information at all. Transition DOES feel impossible. But we go ahead and do it anyway.

You're amazing-

God bless Jennie & her babe to be... keep us posted!

Heather

OH WOW! What an epiphany.

I watched my baby sister have her first baby, last month. What an experience!

Vern

"Fear Is Not The Truth" - I'm going to have that burned into a plaque!

Aimee

Wow. Sending prayers for Jennie and the baby. And you and Clay. :)

RebeccaL

"Fear is not the truth. Transition always feels impossible."

I've been living in transition and fear for awhile now. Even though this transition may last for a while, I need to let God have my fear.

Praying for you guys and Jennie.

Melody

I am teary reading this. It is such a hard thing to not be there. Her life will be changed forever, and you can only wait by the phone. Thank God that she is loved and that this baby is wanted.

Melody

liz

Oh, fingers crossed for a healthy baby and mama!

(When I was in labor I tried to remember fear = false evidence appearing real. Although it seemed real enough at the time.)

Jilly Jill

Kira, you have the most amazing way with words!!! Wish I could be there right now with all of you! Know that we are thinking & praying for all of you!

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