Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Feeling sad and blessed

Despite my wish to write more this week isn't working out to be a prolific week to write. It has, so far, been a very sad time for me at work. As many of you who follow this blog know, I am a midwife in Canada. Most of my job involves guiding families through the journey of pregnancy and the wonder of birth, and the joys of their newborn baby. Yesterday in my office I tragically diagnosed an 'intra-uterine demise." Often called a stillbirth. They were due in just a few days. I have been at the hosptial tonight, helping to induce labour for a baby that has died. It is one of the most sad and awful parts of my job, I hope no one is ever touched by such sadness.

Each time this happens (sadly this is not the first time.) I come home and squeeze my kids until they hurt. Many people comment that Anneke is lucky to have parents like Ben and I. While that may be true, we are lucky to have kids like Anneke and Molly. They light up my life in a way that defies explanation.

I occasionally encounter parents who do not understand and unconditionally love their trans-gendered child. On days like today, I have no patience for parents who do not appreciate the healthy loving child before them. "Do you know how lucky you are?" I want to scream. "Who cares what they want to wear, of what they want you to call them? This is your child!" They see their child as imperfect and in need of "fixing." If you truly knew how fragile life can be, and how sad you are making your child by not fully accepting and loving them, you would never want to change a thing.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Molly







We interrupt the regular serious content of this blog to adore the irrepressible Molly. Anneke's sparkly sister. Anyone who know her will agree, these pictures capture some of her spark. She now refers to A. as her brother in most public spaces.

Molly is living proof that kids 'get it' far more than adults.
"What do you think of girls like Anneke wanting to be like boys?"
Molly "People should be whatever they want."
"What about boys that want to be girls?"
"I like them too! They wear nice dresses, make-up and high heeled shoes. Why don't you wear make-up high heels mommy, then I could wear it too."
Nuf said.