With that as background information, I can now tell of her recent gift to us. His name is Jonah Michael, and he was born October 23, 1999, my first grandchild. A week before he was born, Oricel went into what turned out to be false labor. She and her husband, Ivan, along with their dog, Sammie, live outside of Seattle, but they had planned to have the baby close to my home in Seattle, so when labor started, they came here. After a couple of hours, Oricel sent Ivan home to be with the dog, because it was apparent that this would take awhile.

The labor was steady, but not too intense, so Oricel got on my king sized bed along with her sister and me. We simply held her and stroked her. After awhile she said she wanted an oatmeal raisin cookie, so we got in the car and bought some cookies at the bakery. Then we went to a grocery store, and she picked several things that looked good to her, all the while stroking her tummy.

As the day went on she asked if I would give her a bath, then wash her long, dark, curly hair, then lotion her all over, then braid her hair. What a pleasure for me as she allowed herself to be loved and pampered!

As night came on, we put on soft music, lit candles and incense, and turned out the lights. Another sister was here by now and we delighted in just being girls. Later, we put on some reggae music and we danced and laughed together.

Soon Oricel fell asleep and the labor stopped, but not before we all realized what a special occasion this had been. Maria, another daughter, commented with utter delight that this was just like The Mists of Avalon, a book about Camelot from the feminine perspective by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Maria was quite emotional as she said, "The cool part is that I know this will be available to me! Mom, do you know how unusual what we have done is?" Although we had not consciously planned for events to unfold in this way, I realized we had been given a wonderful gift - the return of the feminine in all her glory! Then I remembered that the New Children had asked to be welcomed in ceremony and celebration, the conscious birthing process of the future. I simply cried for joy!

The following Friday afternoon I got a call from Swedish Hospital saying, "We are going to have a baby!" Oricel's doctor was very doubtful about a vaginal birth, but was willing to watch and see. In the middle of the night, Spirit told me to go lie down at the side of the room, relax and allow. As I did so, energy began to run through me and filled the room for about an hour. The angels were clearly at work, and I knew without a doubt, all would be well. Soon, the doctor said it was time to push, and two hours later Jonah was born amidst shouting, laughter and crying by the new mother and the family that surrounded them. This wonderful doctor had stayed with us all night, and said she wouldn't have given a nickel for a vaginal birth up until the very last while. But out he came, a gift from the heavens!

On Thanksgiving day, when the gang was together, we formally welcomed Jonah into the family, among other things, thanking him for choosing us as a family. There were not many dry eyes at that Thanksgiving table.

Thank you, Oricel, thank you, Ivan, thank you, Jonah and, of course, Sammie.