Being pregnant and carrying my first child was a life-altering discovery for me at the tender age of 23 years. I did not grow up dreaming to be someone’s mother. The journey took me to a place of revelation and transformation that would surprisingly cause me to grow into the person I was meant to be. It would overflow into caring for hundreds, perhaps over a thousand of other women discovering the power of their own life-bearing and birthing journeys. It has been an honor and it all started in the Spring of 1977. Every May, I remember.
Every May I remember the fragrant season of promise
When first I walked in a blooming time
Carrying a ripened load of life, amidst Spring’s bright horoscope.
I wondered how my future, our future, would morph and change
Even as my body cradled the life within
That quickened and leapt with such infinite possibilities.
The young woman in me embraced the new
Even as all of nature seemed to anticipate and reflect
The imminent emergence.
Oh firstborn son of my youth, my heart muses on it still
For when I birthed you, I too was birthed once again.
Every May I remember.
Christine O’Riley
4 replies on “Every May I Remember”
“So very beautiful, as you stepped into motherhood, & began your journey! Now a time of reflection & beauty, forever with you!” 🧚♂️💗🧚
As always, thank-you for your appreciative, insightful response.
That was the house whose yard backed up to mine then, right?!
I believe it was Jim Carnahan’s back yard.