Sunrise, Sunset

I have had two very different and incredibly powerful experiences this week. It started on Sunday night when at 10:41 pm I received a call from Brad asking if I wanted to come and have a birthday party. I had been waiting for this call for a few weeks now and it was finally here. Janet was in heavy labor when I arrived and was just getting into the pool. As the contractions became stronger her 7 other children were awakened to watch their sibling arrive. I watched as Janet worked in unison with her body to bring her baby into the world. I listened to the soothing words offered by Barb, Janet's midwife, about letting her body do what it knows how to do. I saw a gentle hand offered by Brad, Janet's husband, holding her steady giving her comfort. I watched in amazement myself as this life, fresh from our Father, took his first breath, I had to keep reminding myself to pick up the camera and shoot.
I watched as each child met this baby for the first time, they were so excited to have a brother because there wouldn't be any arguments over what his name would be, they had already chosen Aaron. I saw his family come together and welcome baby Aaron and in each persons eyes was a different hope of what was and is to come, his life is just beginning! To watch as this unfolded before my eyes, was a scene I will never forget.As a mother, I have had similar experiences but to see and document this step by step from an outside perspective was surreal.

Yesterday was different. I was invited to another celebration of life, but this had a different outcome. Eric and Tania are doctors at UNM hospital. On Saturday they welcomed their 1st baby to the world. Kobus Vincent was born a few weeks early in hopes that he would be able to better grow outside his mother's womb. Sometimes, however, we come to an understanding that things are not always in our hands.
Kobus wasn't doing well and had to be intubated. As each day in the NICU passed, Eric and Tania came nearer to the horrible realization that Kobus would never get to come home with them. So, instead of having a mournful "why us" party, they celebrated. A celebration to honor the short, innocent life that Kobus was able to share with them. Family from all over the world came to meet and express their love for their beautiful baby. They met at Pete's Playground on the sixth floor of UNMH,with the Sandia's as their backdrop . Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, doctors and nurses shared in this celebration. Each offered a beautiful white rose, some with carefully prepared thoughts , others spoke straight from their heart. One uncle sang a lullaby he had written to comfort his own children when they couldn't sleep. Everyone then stood and sang the great words of the hymn Amazing Grace. An incredible spirit of love and hope and peace was present during this time. When everyone tearfully said their goodbyes, Eric and Tania took their son, held him, loved on him, craddled him and prepared themselves to say goodbye. The way they chose to do so is beautiful, they laid down as mother, father, and son, and went to sleep.
I was there to help this family have something to remember their sweet child, in turn, my life and heart has been touched by the love and care these family members had for each other.

Each of these experiences were different and yet so very much the same - the celebration of a sunrise of a new life and the celebration of a sunset of another.
The joy of life regardless of it's length is, more than anything else, worth celebrating. Thank you, to each of you who let me see into and be a part of the most intimate and moving moments of your lives and for your willingness to let me share that time with others. 'Desiree