Today is a wonderful and much anticipated day. Today, my dear friend Chelsea, had her first child. I previously
posted a video I made from a recent visit but never got around to fully sharing the amazing experience I had with her, her husband, and a small group of
Hollins women.
Chelsea is an amazing woman. I meet her during my college years. My connection to her was instant. I've never had a moment in our friendship where I've secretly thought, "She's being such a dumb selfish bitch" (don't lie, you sometimes have those moments even with the closets of friends). One of the things that drew me to her (and why I love her) is that she has always oozed womanly confidence. It's almost contagious when you're near her and it's what I inspire to be like. To love every part of being a woman is almost an impossible task in the world we live in.
When I flew to Sarasota to see her she was having both a Blessing Way AND Baby Shower. We all know what goes on at a Baby Shower but not many people have been/heard of a Blessing Way. I had never been to one before and truth be told, had no CLUE what to expect.
Via google, this is how a Blessing Way is explained:
"The Blessing Way is one half of the major Navajo song ceremonial complexes, the other half being the Enemy Way. The rites and prayers in the Blessing Way are concerned with healing, creation, harmony
and peace."
At the very beginning of the Blessing Way, I'll be completely honest, I was freaked out. I felt like I had not come prepared with gifts and was not "spiritual" enough to contribute any words of wisdom. It should also be noted I had been filming all night, had left straight from set to catch my flight, flew all day (I can't sleep in planes), and went right into my first Blessing Way experience. As stressful as that all was I learned very quickly that part of the importance of a Blessing Way was to calm the soon-to-be mother. It only naturally rubs off on everyone involved.
The point in the Blessing Way where I became overhwelmed with emotions was when we were all asked to share a quote with Chelsea for her to think of during her birthing process. I had not prepared a quote (along with other things I forgot to do) and was nervous that when it would come around to my turn I'd have nothing. I didn't want to be the shitty friend singled out. Thankfully, while listening to all the other woman speak I felt a sudden rush of just knowing what to say....
When my mother past away a little over a year ago a few quotes from the book "A Year of Magical Thinking" (are you sick of me bringing up this book yet) got me through some hard times. I refer back to it often and surprisingly a book about death can also work with birth. While looking at Chelsea happily with her first child and remembering that I will never be able to share that experience with my Mom I thought of the quote:
"Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant"
My mother was a BIG fan of Chelsea. In fact, the last conversation I had with her she asked how Chelsea was doing (for a brief moment Chelsea almost moved to New Orleans to live with me). I could honestly feel my mother's presence with me at that moment when I was sharing the quote with Chelsea. While feeling the presence of a past love one is always a blessing it also can overwhelm you with sadness as it confirms your love one is truly gone. I am glad that my mother chose that moment though. I am so happy that she was there to share in Chelsea's beauty and excitement because I KNOW that she would be utterly ecstatic for her.
I am so happy that I was able to experience my first Blessing Way. I am even more happy that it was for Chelsea. I can't imagine not having one when I decide to have children one day.
Congrats to the happy couple and their new baby GIRL!!!!!!!!!!
