The Story of Brian

   Today's Responsorial Response brought back a memory from the reading of November 16, 1975. I was very pregnant with my son Brian, attending Sunday Mass and having some twinges of early labor. As I listened to Psalm 128 being read and heard
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table."-----I was smiling. For God was confirming a decision my husband and I had made a few months earlier. We were going to have a home delivery and God with this Reading, was giving His blessing. He was saying "YES, it is okay," that morning at Mass.
    You see with our first child in 1973, natural childbirth and hospitals allowing husbands to be present was not yet the appoved way of giving birth in a hospital. No, they were still mainly doing the twighlight delivery where you put Mom out and then hurriedly gave a blue baby Narcan so it would start to breathe when coming into the world. Being a nurse, I saw one too many of those hectic first moments and knew --this was not the best way for a child to be born.
  I did have our first baby naturally and OH what an awesome experience that was. 18 months later Sarah was delivered naturally, BUT, labor and delivery doors were separating my husband and I as she came to fast for me to be put in that special room set up for husbands to be present. So this pregnancy--the decision was made to have a home delivery.
  Many would be the dear friends and family saying "Oh no--don't---it is too risky." But the reply given to me to speak back---"Well if a hospital delivery was so crucial--why was Jesus born in a cave?"
   God had blessed me with experience and a dear RN friend who was coming to assist when the time came. Listening to that reading that morning, I knew everything would be okay. "But was this the day?" Immediately after that thought came into my mind---the next reading spoke of the coming of Man being as unexpected at the suddness of a woman going into labor. "OH yes, this was to be the day!"
    I labored all that day and called the friend and as we set and timed contractions, Walt Disney was about to come on, the three of us quietly went back into the bedroom while the 4 other children--a 12 year old stepson, my 8 year old first born son--and a two and one year old girls--watched television and eventually ALL fell asleep as Brian came into this world, without any complications. Almost nine pounds, I always said that his first cry was more of a deep bawl than a cry. Something like, "AAAWWW so glad to be alive!!!" As he grew, he seemed to be smiling and laughing more, too, in his earlier toddling days. Natural delivery definitely was the way God meant for birth to be if at all possible.
     As I heard that familiar reading today, I also felt a promting within to tell the story of Brian's birth. Why---for too many do not realize how GOD WANTS to talk with us on a daily basis. He wants that walking talking personal covenant relationship with each of us. He does speak to each person individually through the Scripture, and in that inner Voice within our heart and mind. He also speaks to us through His many mysterious ways in life's experiences and all of creation speaks out His stories.
    I was impressed too with the words that "Many do not believe how dearly they are loved by Me, and how I am always there for them -----ALWAYS, when they seek Me---I am there, and when they ask---I give the answers they need for all of their life."
   So now you have heard about the Story of Brian---and also the rest of God's story of why Brian came that day many years ago in a home delivery, blessed by God.  Hear the Good News that God so loves you ---He sends us all into the world to be a blessing, a gift, and His Love LIVED within each of us when we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives. Go forth and share your stories and spread that Good News. "You are loved, and you are very special indeed. Made for a purpose and to make a difference in this world."