I read it last night & told her (via comments, of course) the same thing: it was the best she’s ever written. She continues to amaze me at the depths she reaches when telling her story.
I shared many similarities in my own labor story, but none that compared to crawling inside of my husband’s palm. You are an amazing couple. Leta & Marlo are very lucky indeed.
http://www.blessourhearts.blogspot.com Ms. Moon
What a gift. And I mean that in every way possible.
J. Bo
That was just incredibly beautiful. Marlo is going to read that and see those photographs someday and have a whole new perspective on her mom.
May you and Heather keep each other in the palms of your hands for years and years and years to come.
The way Heather described falling into the palm of your hand reminded me of a Pablo Neruda (sonnet XVII) poem that my daughter had read at her wedding.
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.”
This will ALWAYS be know as the summer of dooce and blurbomat for me as I’m working my way thru all the archives.
DeeBee6
Jon,
What a fabulous writer Heather is. Her update made me bawl – tears streaming down my face. What accuracy! How to the point!
I am so happy that it all worked out for you.
I guess you should try to put your thoughts in to words as well. We women don’t really how it is to be a man in a birthing room. All the attention and “catering” being directed to us, and the man is supposed to be there, but cannot really do much other than to hold a hand here, rub a little there etc. How was your birthing experience? How was it different from when Leta was born? It would be interesting to hear your take too!
Best wishes to you and your family.
PS: Drop me a line if you need to replenish your salty liquorice stash
Joanne
awww, jon, i really loved reading this piece as i do all of heather’s work. congratulations again on the addition to your family. and also on finding your soul mate. (you just rolled your eyes when you read that last sentence, didn’t you? but you know it’s an accurate descriptor, don’t you. )
enjoy taking care of each other.
BLaM
Jon – I would really love to read your perspective on being in the delivery room when your children were born. Moreover, I would like my *husband* to read your perspective on being there – he’s really freaked out by the idea, and though he has agreed to be there because it’s important to me, I think it would really help him to read another dad’s perspective on why he should be there with me. I tell him I can’t imagine doing something so important and so difficult without him, but I’m not sure if he’s really getting it. You clearly gave Heather so much support during both girls’ births – would you be willing to share your thoughts on why, how, and what it was like to be holding her hand?
Staying On Brand