Jeep!

Last week I had the privilege of staying with my sister while she delivered her second baby. Let me just say, all the homesickness and doubts about moving have been worth it for the chance to drive only two hours when I got the call, spend time with my niece and be in the room with my sister and her husband when James Paul Hamann (whom Jaron and I call Jeep and whose parents call him J.P.) came into the world. Don't get me wrong, it was kinda freaky. Kelly is a warrior (which is actually the meaning of her name and I never thought it appropriate until now) and births babies like she is leading the victory charge. Her confidence was inspiring. It was only those last few moments when she seemed a little scared that I got scared. And then he was there and he is amazing, and he has a mohawk and for a moment all the pain and scariness seemed to disappear.





And then it got scarier. Kelly continued to lose too much blood and four nurses rushed in and treated her and the word "hysterectomy" was said, probably just to make us all especially freaked out.

Fast forward half an hour and I got to hold the little miracle of a man my sister had just birthed and it was (for a moment) easy to understand why she went through all the danger and pain and inconvenience. And while I still have a substantial fear of having children, I just need to look at Jeep to know that the women who are brave enough to say yes to motherhood, like my sister, are a breed above. I used to think they were insane, but it's good to finally get a glimpse of how heroic and hopeful it is. And there is nothing to be ashamed of in hope.