On this day twelve months ago

I was 41 weeks pregnant.

My head was full of excitement, trepidation, doubt, fear and the unknown - it had been eight years since I had trod this path before; why was it taking so long? would I never labour? would my baby be ok?
My midwives offered me all the love and reassurance that I would offer were our roles reversed (and in fact I had, just months before, when I was midwife for one of them).

Boy, I walked a lot that day - even ate a dagwood dog with sauce and asked for a ride on the gravatron to see if that would get it going (no, they wouldn't let me ride!)

I am feeling a bit nostalgic, I just can't belive that in a few days my wee baby girl will be one year old. I had lots of doubts in those final few days - I knew women were strong, I saw them prove it over and over again but I really doubted that I still had it. Tonight I went through a box of memories looking for a card from my friend Susan, it has a blossoming pink rose on the front and inside the following words:

A strong woman works out every day

to keep her body in shape

but a woman of strength looks deep inside

to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn't afraid

of anything

but a woman of strength shows courage

in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won't let anyone

get the best of her

but a woman of strength gives the best

of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes

and avoids the same in the future

but a woman of strength realises life's mistakes

can also be blessings and capitalises on them

A strong woman walks

sure footedly

but a woman of strength knows

when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look

of confidence on her face

but a woman of strength

wears grace

A strong woman has faith

that she is strong enough for the journey

but a woman of strength has faith

that it is in the journey that she will become strong

author unknown to me.