First Word 18

Hi!

My first child was born on Christmas Day.

It’s quite an experience to have a midwife urging you to ’puuush!’ with Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells. It’s Christmas time in the City… rending the air in the background. Friends and family at home and fun spots were busy gulping down every drink and foodstuff they could lay their eyes on while I was stuck in the delivery room, bearing down. While every one else out  there was singing ‘Amezaliwa Bwana’, I was singing a different song.

Luckily, my hubby was by my side as I laboured out the day. I could see the look in his eyes silently nudging me. ‘Hey love, get this done with!’ But as we all know, there is no rushing mother nature and it was not until 4pm that the young one was born.

He came out like a warrior ready for the world, seeming to pop out like pop corn. It was a sort of anti climax for me. given how long he had taken to make the decision to come out—and causing me severe pain in the process. Now that he was out, he seemed to realise that the world was tougher than anticipated and he surely cried his vocals hoarse. I smiled: it was rather ironical, given that I was the one who should have been crying—after all the labour pain: and he should have been rejoicing at joining the world.

My hubby seemed satisfied with the results. A baby boy on Christmas day is not something he had bargained for. We had not checked the sex of the baby, so everything—from the unexpected labour to delivery on Christmas day and a boy for our first born—was coming to us in pleasant bouts of surprises. What a Christmas!’ I thought to myself, as fatigue knocked me out into a lull of sleep. I had not caught a wink since midnight of the eve of Christmas.

When I awoke, there was a bevy and flurry of activity around me. Family and friends had rushed to hospital to come see my latest antiques—acting Mary, mother of Jesus. My hubby had not wasted any time in publicising the fact that we had delivered a baby ‘on Christmas Day.’ It was my turn to experience the joy and love of Christmas as they surrounded us with warmth, affection and thanksgiving to God.

It is this kind love and care that I wish you all at this time. May the Almighty send a breeze of warmth and fondness your way as we brace for the New Year.

JoyC

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