Well I have arrived in Phoenix to work with midwife Shell Walker. It's been nearly two years since I first contacted her and made the decision to pursue midwifery. The road has been adventurous and at times I've deviated, but I'm here now.
I won't elaborate on the diversions as most of it was preparing me for this moment. Since I made the decision I quite my job as an archaeologist, trained as a birth and post partum doula, spent time in The Gambia (with my dear friend Echo) and volunteered at the Bijilo Medical Centre where I attended my first birth! It was here any fears that I would not be cut out for a profession that involved birth were dispelled and I was confident this is what I want to do. After leaving The Gambia I continued travelling, I made my way to India where I trained as a yoga teacher. I want to provide wholistic care and for me yoga in integral. I also wanted to develop and deepen my own practice. In this year I spent outside of Canada I also reconnected and fell in love with my soul mate. I spent nearly half the year in Manchester building a bond with him, unfortunately the UK is currently not the place for me as I struggled to enter into the birthing and yoga community there. I returned to Canada and to Regina, a place I haven't lived for ten years, but a place where the community had welcomed me before I had even arrived.
In the last 5 months I have met some incredible women. All who have given me such great strength and energy. I attended another two births, the first happened so fast neither of us could really do anything but go with the flow. It was an amazing expereince and I witnessed such great female strength from Risa as she birthed baby Gaia into the world. The second birth I was part of was Amandas and it was twins!!! I spent more time with Amanda and worked more intimately with her in yogic practice. We had fun. They babies were beautiful and healthy.
There is so much for me to learn and during part of this last 5 months I was fortunate to work with many teachers. Angela was the first to take me in and influnced me with her Birthing Within teachings. Marie graciously allowed me into her prenatal yoga class and gave me the opportunity to teach. Confidence through practice! I also spent a great deal of time with Sonya Duffee and wonderful women and midwife struggling against buracracy. We all must send positive vibrations out for her and the women of Regina who currently do not have the option of midwifery care. The greatest achievement was being part of an organizing committee for a fundraiser bringing awareness to Doula care. The night was fabulous and a great success.
After surprising my father with a 60th birthday party and the arrival of Gavin (his first visit to Canada!!) I began the journey here, to Phoenix. We took our time driving across the prairies and foothills, into the Rockies and to Vancouver. We had a great time, were taken well care of by Nova and Daniel, but unfortunately never met up with all that we could have. We expereince a festival at a magical place and then continued our journey south winding our way through diverse landscapes that we never knew existed. It was a beautiful trip and one of the best I've ever had. It was so special to share such a trip with someone so special.
We arrived in Phoenix only a few days ago, it was a sad parting with Gav as I saw him off to the airport, but a new beginning for me.
i'll leave this here for now...there is more as i've already begun my studies with a class yesterday, but there is still so much to digest. i feel so blessed. so excited and feel so special with all the support i am receiving from new and old friends alike.