She believes.

An evening in May I pull into the birthing center as rain falls gently in the parking lot. Only three other cars here. Slowly I come into her sacred space. The contractions are strong. She rests between each one. Each of us in the room can see she is getting tired. Everyone watches attentively. As she sleeps for what seems to be seconds, she is awakened by another. Every contraction bringing her closer to the moment of holding him in her arms. She whispers “I can’t do this” with exhaustion and her midwife responds gently “yes, you can”. She paces the room, gripping the comb in her palms, she gets into the water, she bares down, closing her eyes, gaining control of each breath. She feels for his head and knows he’s near. She’s a Mother who believes…