His Blessing for My Journey

In a post the other day, I mentioned a book that I'm currently reading entitled "Birthing From Within" that is based on a method of childbirth classes focusing on natural birth that is directed by the mother and geared toward self-awareness.

In the introduction the authors lay out some of their philosophies and assumptions and give some examples from the classes they teach. One of the main philosophies is that birth is a monumental rite of passage for a woman and not a medical event (even when medical care is necessary).

With this in mind, one thing she has her clients do during the classes is that secretly, she instructs the husbands to bring a wash basin, massage oil and flowers to the last class to give their wives a foot massage and to give them an opportunity to practice some of the relaxation techniques that they have learned.

And also, in keeping with her belief that birth is a rite of passage for the mother, she asks the fathers to bring with them a short blessing, prayer, or poem, ... something to give to their wives as a word of encouragement for her journey through this rite of passage.

For some reason, I thought it would be useful to tell the Fabulous Dude about this activity at dinner one night last week. Please do not ask me why I thought I should tell him. Perhaps it was my subconscious way of pleading with him to think of some super duper sweet romantic things to say to me about this pregnancy instead of things like "you're looking rather chubby today". I should have known better - because we all know that my husband is the king of all sarcasm and insensitivity.

So this is how our conversation went down:

Lucy: "So, I read about an activity that is done at some childbirth classes where the instructor asks the fathers to bring a wash basin, massage oils, and flowers to give their wives a foot rub. And she also asks them to write down some kind of blessing, prayer, or poem to give to them for their journey through pregnancy and childbirth".

Fabulous Dude: "Wait, so is this from that book you are reading or something that they are going to do at the classes we are taking?"

Lucy: "From the book. I don't know if they do something like this at the classes we are taking. Why? Do you have something stupid to say about it and you don't want to say it if it's something we're going to have to do?"

Fabulous Dude: " No, no, not at all. I was just thinking that I already know exactly what I would want to write for my blessing to you."

Lucy (as my hope for some type of uncharacteristic romanticism is mounting): " Oh yea, and what is that?"

Fabulous Dude (.... smirking ....): "GET 'ER DONE"

Why is he so sweet?!