11 Comments
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Fred Basset's avatar

Forgiving is hard. Forgetting is harder. Nobody said growing was easy.

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

Forgiveness is a boomerang gift because it always comes back to you!

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Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

Louise Hay: "Forgive them. They were doing the best they could with what they had to work with." She wasn't being sarcastic. Just realistic. Same for all of us.

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JBR's avatar

Wise words. I wish I could forgive myself. My parents were great.

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Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Greetings Dr. Deborah, I loved reading your precious article and message. I have not heard a peep about Childbirth Without Fear for 49 years!

I respected and trusted the work and advice of Grantley Dick-Read and in 1974 and 1976 I gave birth to a daughter and son without anesthesia and without cutting the umbilical cord instantly that connected me to my babies while in harbor, and I asked the Obstetrician’s to please hand me my babies too see if they would nurse and not to be bathed instantly and to please turn down the lighting so my sweet tiny babies would hopefully have less of a shock. I loved being with child and the power and awareness and magnitude of giving birth.

Thank you for being here, Geraldine

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Ah what a gorgeous response from you, Geraldine!

I too had never heard another peep till now!

Your story and mine are so much in harmony.

I gave birth to my son in 1971 and my daughter in 1972

at home without anesthesia and I held them close right away to nurse.

I too loved being with child

and the glorious experience of giving birth to my treasures.

Thank YOU for being here, Geraldine

Deborah

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Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

I had a nurse midwife willing to home deliver, but I was living at nine thousand feet in a beautiful cabin with a glorious fireplace and wood stove, only wood heat, and an “outhouse”. So, I declined the home birth and had as much of a natural childbirth as possible without being home.

I drove down to Boulder when my water broke and the rest is a beautiful life, with many challenges. I always have, and still, bloom wildly! I’m happy to have crossed paths with you, Geraldine

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David MacGregor's avatar

Today I will write a poem

About my mother

Liberace style

Not on the piano

Tho

And I will share your poem

On my Notes

With mine

Nothing to forgive my mother for

Hamlet move over

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Babette Albin's avatar

I vowed, as the first child of a highly intelligent and deeply flawed mother, that l would not duplicate that dynamic with my children.

Many years of therapy and living a productive life have made a big difference. My first and best therapist (a Jewish refugee from Vienna -1938ish), was most nurturing and instructive. She encouraged my self-reliance and this has stayed to bolster my resilience.

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Dave Conant - MO's avatar

Your words are beautiful Dr. Hall and the value, impact, and essential nature of forgiveness unquestionable. Thanks for sharing this and have a very Merry Christmas.

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Stephanie Gibbs Dunlap's avatar

Most excellent advice, thank you Dr Hall

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