What should I do on a Throwback Thursday doing World Breastfeeding Week?
Why post this lovely poem by Caitlin Lowry-Shegog, first published in
2013. Thank you for the power of your words, Caitlin. You can follow Caitlin on her blog, What Wondrous Love is This.
376
Days
by Caitlin Lowry-Shegog
Thursday.
A
day full of heat and stick and the
heaviness
of life.
And
you came,
tiny
baby,
mighty
warrior,
breath
of life.
I
nursed you first.
Straight
from my womb
to
my heart,
and
these were long days.
Days
when the Earth moved slowly.
Days
that stretched and strained,
like
my body against your weight,
and
nothing was easy,
and
everything was hard,
and
all things are beautiful
in
their own time.
It
takes time.
And
I wish someone had told me.
Told
me how much it would hurt,
told
me about the cracking and the bleeding,
and
the pools of milk and tears,
and
clothes
soaked.
And
how I could do it.
You
can do it.
You.
can
DO it.
Each
step through the pain,
is
one less painful step we have to take.
Like
labor,
nursing
is labor,
a
labor of love.
And
we need all sorts of love to mother,
to
be awake all day and night,
and
day again.
To
bind ourselves to tiny bodies and minds,
and
sacrifice the things we want,
And
need
so
that little people may grow
securely.
Securely
in an insecure place.
And
this is why I nurse you,
tiny
baby,
little
boy,
Mighty
Warrior.
So
you might be healthy
And
strong
And
well-equipped for
every
good work.
So
you will feel nurtured
and
safe
and
loved.
Loved.
All
things are beautiful.
All
things.
Beautiful.
And
all things can be done,
through
Him who strengthens us
and
holds us
and
carries us,
through
the dark nights
and
the scary places
and
the milk soaked through.
Mama.
Sister.
With
His help.
You
Can
DO
it.
©2013
