31/365 - Thinking about Jamie's Belly

My friend Jamie's due date is tomorrow. I attended her blessing way (my first one) a few weeks ago. During the blessing way the women got into a circle and Jamie held a spool of red string. She wrapped it around her wrist twice and said, "I am Jamie, mother of Arlo and mother of unborn baby boy." She wrapped it around her wrist again and said, "Daughter of (her mom's name) " She wrapped it around her wrist once more and said, "Granddaughter of (her mom's mother's name)." Jamie then wrapped the string around her wrist one last time and said, "Great-granddaughter of (her mother's mother's name)." Sorry, I don't remember their names but you get the idea. Then the spool was passed to the next person who did the same thing telling us her maternal line. It was passed around the circle until we were all connected to the red string. In my eyes, we invited all the mothers into the circle remembering on a heartfelt level our connection to them through memory and blood, and our connection to each other as women. The tradition is the leave the red string on your wrist until the mother being celebrated goes into labor. At that time, we then slowly loosen the string until the baby is born. Later, we leave the string out for birds for the nest or to the river as offerings.

Sending love and prayers for a healthy, blissful labor to Jamie and her new baby boy.

I am Luanne, mother of Annelise and Connor, daughter of Joan, granddaughter of Loretta, great-granddaugther of Mary.