Flower Child

I have been called worse in my life, but last night I was accused of being a hippie.  I wasn't sure whether to plead guilty or provide evidence otherwise.  

It all started after the FABULOUS baby shower for Natalie from my old neighborhood was over and we were hanging around talking.  I got the feeling throughout the shower that some nameless people might be quietly judging.  

Should she really be having a shower when this is her second baby?  AND her second GIRL, no less?  

The hippie in me was like, "Don't flip your wigs, Squares! Where's the love?" 

I tried to explain that I think every life is precious and should be celebrated.  There should be a special celebration like a shower for every child who comes into this world, no matter the number of children you already have or if it is your 4th BOY or whatever.  The celebration is not only for the child, but also to give the mother some special attention for putting up with all that women have to put up with as they are bringing another life into the world.  

MY second shower was actually a "Blessingway."  Ok, that does already sound a bit hippie-ish, but a Blessingway is a celebration to bless the mother and the child and provide a special, positive outlook on the birth. Here are some things I found online to explain it better - 

A Blessingway is one of the traditional healing ceremonies of the Navajo. A Blessingway is one of the most sacred ceremonies associated with pregnancy. Traditionally a Blessingway is a women-only ceremony, however many women choose to include men. A Blessingway is performed late in the pregnancy and is to give the mother-to-be strength for the deeply spiritual rite of passage she is about to encounter during her birth. Blessingway ceremonies create a sacred and safe environment where a mother-to-be can explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches birthing and mothering. Surrounded by the most important women in her life, she gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to motherhood.

It's an alternative to your traditional shower, but is still a celebration for the mother and baby, which I really wanted despite the fact that I already had one baby.

My 1st birth was very difficult and was not what I planned and prepared for.  I needed all the love and support I could get with my second one.   So I had all my girlfriends and family come and celebrate my SECOND boy.  Guests made birth bracelets that they would wear or keep with them until I had the baby as a symbol of their love, support and hope for a positive birth experience for me.  I also hired an artist to come and give all the girls henna tattoos. The henna was another reminder of the coming baby and to keep my birth in their thoughts and prayers.   

If guests insisted on bringing gifts, I asked them to please bring diapers or wipes - nothing else. The "shower" wasn't about those kind of gifts.
My chic friend Katharine opened her stylish and sophisticated home to us and we had a great time chatting and hanging out and eating.  It was just what I needed.  
That's all I'm talking about.  Celebrate the sacrifice and sacred gift that is Motherhood and the miracle that comes with each and every baby.  

 And if that makes me a hippie, then I am proudly guilty.