Gestation and Birth of Me

When my son Zachary was born at home in 1997, I knew that someday I'd like to pursue midwifery.  It fit my beliefs about the world and about myself.  I want to help other women have a good, whole, healing and empowering experience of birth like I did.

Many years went by.  I had two small children and we enjoyed homeschooling and learning together.  And that desire to be a midwife slowly got pushed down.  Or was it simply gestating, hidden away?  A few years ago, in my late thirties, I began to feel a restlessness.  My children didn't need me constantly like they did when they were small.  I needed something to follow, a dream to pursue.  But what?  I considered many different options.  Some were hard, most were easier than midwifery school.  And yet, I decided finally to go with what my heart desired, to become a midwife and work in the birth field.  

I had many reservations about pursuing my dream.  I was no spring chicken.  Attending school?  I hadn't been in school for 17 years!  How would I do back in the classroom?

I took the pre-requisite classes that I needed in the fall (and did just fine!) and applied to Birthingway College of Midwifery.  Then I waited, as patiently as I could.  And on my 40th birthday, I heard from Birthingway that I'd been accepted!  What a wonderful birthday present!  In the time between my 39th birthday (when I was dreading turning 40) and my 40th, a transformation had taken place.  I no longer see 40 as too old to do anything new; rather, 40 is a new lease on life.  I really am loving being 40 and am loving the new direction my life is taking.

I begin classes at the end of this month--only three weeks!  I can't wait to find out what new things I'll be learning.