Like most of the people I have many titles, title of a daughter, a sister, grand-daughter, student, friend, colleague, etc, etc… But during my break here from writing I acquired one of the most precious titles I can ever have- the title of an aunt, in my language khala (mother’s sister).
Sophia with the team of doctors who helped her into the world
Sophia at two hours
Yes, my sister had 6.5lbs, healthy baby girl. Now I am going to say some things which most of you have heard a thousand times…. She is the most beautiful baby, with big black eyes and perfect little toes and fingers, oh not to forget a pair of well-developed lungs (she knows how to use them to keep us up at night). Even while I write this she knows I need to concentrate so she is showing the power of those small lungs.
Peace
Baby Sophia was born at 6:26 pm on Sunday, April 3. 2011 after four hours of struggle on her mom’s part, I guess her part too. This was the first birth I witnessed. No wonder they have these videos titled “miracle of birth” indeed it is a miracle. Someone very beautifully said “Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.”It is amazing how we have been preparing ourselves for the past nine months that we will have a new member in our family but nothing prepared me to see her birth in actuality and then holding her in my arms knowing she is a part of someone so beloved to me. I totally agree with Laura Stavoe Harm, “We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” After going through four hours of labor and delivering 6.5lbs baby, I asked my sister “would you ever go through this again” her instant response “definitely, just to hold my baby in my arms.”
Trying on her new booties