October, 2007
OK, so even in Esther’s harem, kids get stomach flus and fevers and Esther doesn’t get to shower for several days, let alone blog. Well, I thank those of you that noticed that I hadn’t written in a bit. It means a lot that you’re reading. :^)
I just got back from an advance screening of a movie that I believe is going to make a lot of waves. It’s a movie produced by Ricki Lake, called The Business of Being Born. I believe every woman, especially those of us with daughters, need to see this movie. It will be in theaters in January, in NYC, San Fran and LA. Please visit http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/trailer.htm for more. It is one of the best movies about birth I have ever seen (and as a childbirth educator, believe me…I have seen a LOT of them). The filmmakers did a wonderful job of conveying a message in a way that is not polarizing, not political, and not shaming–rather, it shows the possibilities for women giving birth. I really encourage you to see it in January, or get it from Netflix (February). I’m going to see about hosting a local screening so I can get it to you early. I think it is very accessible, enjoyable, funny, thought-provoking, beautiful–and important. No matter what your experience or philosophy of childbirth, you will take something away from this movie that will stay with you.
OK, and Rosie O’Donnell introduced the panel speakers. Now THAT was worth the price of admission. Let me tell you, in a room full of midwives, celebrity matters…not at all. Maybe it comes from seeing so much anatomy up-close-and-personal. OK, sorry, it’s late, and if I’m not careful, I’ll start (like Scott) talking about sleeper trains and the Cleveland 49ers. (Yeah, I know my sports. Tennis, anyone?)
Now, I promised myself that I would be careful how I used Lamb’s webspace for my own personal views. And I want you to know that I am aware that my views on birth can be controversial. But I also have something that I desperately desire women to know, and that is this: that the way we bring our babies into the world *matters*. I want to write more about this, and I will–it’s after 1:30 am, though. I’m pretty pumped up about this movie, so I could stay up all night, but I do have 2 small ones who will be up in a matter of hours. Please know, though, as I hope anyone who has personally talked to me about the subject, that my concern is for the glory of God and the encouragement of women to receive all they can from him. I mess it up sometimes, to be sure, but he knows my heart, and I do my homework. So I will pose a question for you to consider.
Why does birth matter? I mean, more than the old proverb “All that matters is a healthy mom and a healthy baby”. Why does it matter whether we have drugs, no drugs, surgery, jacuzzis, whatever? Does it really matter–to us, to our babies–to God?
I would like to let you ruminate on that question, and please comment on it. Please, please, don’t let this be a one-sided conversation. I’m not afraid of anyone’s strong feelings on this issue–I welcome them, and I welcome you. But—more later, when I’ve had more sleep.
It’s good to be back, ladies. (And Jeff. Ha ha.)
Posted by Vesper on October 25th, 2007 in Birth, Healing, Our Bodies, Ourselves, States of Life | 6 Comments »
One of the beauties of the average blog is that the reader is usually anonymous. Maybe you tell your friends about it, the ones you know won’t think you’re crazy. Then they tell their friends, and everyone gets to be nice and detached; if they get angry with you, well, you probably don’t know them; if they were standing behind you on the grocery store line, you and they might never know that you were “that jerk”. But you know what, since Lamb of God hosts this blog, it means I have to face all of you on Sunday mornings. So I have to take a risk of being “that jerk” and telling the truth as I see it, whilst simultaneously having to keep in mind that there’s a chance that people will have beef with me, or that Lamb might unintentionally be painted with the Esther brush. (My opinions do not represent those of Lamb of God Fellowship.) Some crazy person was short enough on sleep one day to agree to give me webspace. But exactly what I love about Lamb is our diversity of opinion on secondary things. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” If what I write is too strongly opinionated, that’s OK; you’re free to disagree. Maybe we need your blog up here. Blogs are not the gospel. However, they represent a slice of understanding that is valid and valuable. We desperately need each other to speak the truth, in love, about our observations of the world and how it all comes under the gaze of God (gosh, I love that Dry Bones dance song).
Here in Esther’s harem, we practice the university model: the free exchange of ideas. I’ll tell you the truth, I’m nervous as h-e-double-hockey-sticks that some of you might still think I’m “that jerk”. I’ve had several people come to me and tell me I should keep my mouth shut about certain things, because it made them or others uncomfortable. Hearing comments like that makes me reflective, repentant, but sometimes cowardly. I am open to correction, but I do try to speak the truth in love. I’ve been forgiven much, and I try to love much accordingly. So whatever others think, I have to accept that they’re entitled to their opinion. Always keep in mind that here at the Kaffe Klatsch, we’re a melting pot–all coming from different places, with different experiences, and different areas of expertise. So I’ll try to teach you something, and you try to teach me something back, or reflect my own words back to me in a mirror so I can examine myself. I welcome honest debate, real and raw; respectful, loving, but not necessarily polite. Remember, you can always sign your comment “anonymous”. (If anyone would care to actually comment…come on, people!)
I cannot be aught than I am. With Esther, baby, what you see is what you get.
With great love…
Posted by Vesper on October 25th, 2007 in Musings | 5 Comments »
My husband recently went garbage picking, with another responsible and upstanding leader in the church, namely the youth pastor. The youth pastor got a gorgeous oriental rug. My dear husband got *another* turntable, and *two more* sets of old speakers. God bless ‘em both. But the man done good. He got me an old 1916 book called “Useful Household Helps, Hints and Receipts: 3000 References”. No, you read that right. Not recipes, receipts. I still don’t know what that means, but OK.
So in honor of garbage pickers everywhere, I am going to place one of these priceless bits of wisdom in each blog entry. I will begin with Part One, which lists the following: Care of the Skin, Teeth and Hair. Toilet Preparations, Beautifiers. Care of the Human Body. Prevention of Disease. Care of the Hands. Perfumes. Home Nursing. Care of Children. Household Remedies. Hygiene. Feeding. Bathing. Care in Dieting. Causes of Disease.
Bathing: Do not bathe when tired. / Avoid bathing within two hours of a meal. / Avoid bathing when the body is cooling after perspiration. / The vigorous and strong may bathe early in the morning on an empty stomach. / Take a daily water bath, not only for cleanliness, but for skin gymnastics.
Read the blog often for more.
Posted by Vesper on October 25th, 2007 in Musings, Our Bodies, Ourselves | No Comments »
Recently I’ve been thinking about generations (see “Three Generations“) and how we come to understand life at our different stages. Ever since I was a little girl, I have had friends of different ages. I was practically raised by my four aunts, as much as–and sometimes more than– I was raised by my mother. (Yes, that’s five girls. God bless my grandparents.) They were really more like sisters than aunts–in fact, my mother had me at 19 years old, so she and I have always been confused for, and related somewhat as, sisters, for good and for bad. And my grandmother has been a friend as much as an elder. I sometimes had trouble relating to my own peers, but never to adults. So I’ve spent my life unknowingly observing how people navigate through their different seasons with great interest as to how I would follow.
I’ve noticed (from my own experience as well as others’) that a huge shift happens around age 25. Yes, pretty much as soon as we turn 15 or so, we think of ourselves as “adults”–that our formation is complete and all there is to do now is to live life our way. (I’m only half kidding.) So we pick a college, get the degree, get our first job, get fired from our first job, maybe get married, have a kid, buy a house–and the more we walk in any or all of these things, we at some point wonder if we’re not just playing “house”, and who in the world entrusted us with children, or multi-million dollar advertising accounts, or a driver’s license. (more…)
Posted by Vesper on October 1st, 2007 in Going Deeper, States of Life | No Comments »
