I was set to arrive on October 13. The news delighted my parents with birthdays on the thirteenth of May and November. Independent from the get-go, I arrived 13 hours late at 1:00 pm today, October 14. At least I contributed to the stories of 13--our family's lucky number!
My newlywed parents first landed at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas. Pilot instructor dad taught younger men how to fly jet planes. Meanwhile, mom nested. At 21, she also navigated the social protocol waters as an officer's wife in dust bowl conditions.
The news of my imminent arrival came two months into their marriage. Holy Tamale!
Mamie --my Scottish gram-- fearlessly flew from tropical southern California to meet her daughter's firstborn. ME! It marked her first airplane flight. She headed to West Texas--dry, desolate and depressing. Remember, air travel was expensive and not simple in 1953.
While the slogan is "EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS!" there was nothing big about me. Born with the name Lorraine, my Grandmother Mamie saw me at 6.2 pounds and exclaimed, "Oh that's too big a name for such a wee one. Let's call her Lore." (Pronounced lory like a story.)
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| Light expressing, age 4 |
First, what do you know about your birth? Then let's explore why it's important to write your birth story.
Here are nine writing prompts to jumpstart your birth story research; these came from my conversation with mom:
*What do you know about your parent's engagement and wedding?
*How was the news of your imminent arrival delivered to family and friends?
*What details do you know about your mom's pregnancy and your delivery?
*What did she crave?
*What songs did you hear inutero?
*Who was there and not there from the family when you were born?
*What details do you know about your mom's pregnancy and your delivery?
*What did she crave?
*What songs did you hear inutero?
*Who was there and not there from the family when you were born?
*Do you have your birth certificate?
*What names did your parents consider for you?
*How was your name finally chosen?
*How was your name finally chosen?
Once you've gathered this information, consider the value of writing your birth story.
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| Weimaraner Babe, Momma Clare, Daddy Bear Richard & me, 1954 |
My research and personal ideas suggest five reasons why women write birth stories. They seek…
1. To celebrate the gift of life. Over the years there will be many endings, so why not connect with your community by telling this story?
2. To chronicle the story. Memories fade and details could be hazy of the birth because of epidurals, drugs, and stress. Isn't this a priceless legacy gift to yourself, family, and future generations? It also makes for a fun and happy bedtime reading to the kids or grandkids!
3. To capitalize on lessons learned. What better way to share intimate information that would educate, inform and inspire others or heal personal trauma?
4. To cherish the moments. All births are sacred so why not collect the beautiful, spiritual moments by describing them using all six senses?
5. To cement self-confidence. In a world that challenges you with the winds of change and stress, wouldn’t it be grounding to clarify the roots you sprouted up from? Was it an oak tree in Scotland, a banyan tree in India, a sugar maple in New Hampshire, a giant redwood in California, or a frangipani tree in Bali?
There are probably more than five reasons to write your birth story. Perhaps you can share some of your ideas in the comments.Not all birth stories are punctuated with lollipops and unicorns. There are birth stories of angel babies and rainbow babies. Waves of deep emotions for sure.
P.S. I tell my mom's birth story in Finding Our Wings: A Collection of Angelic Stories and Poems. It was my first published book launched on March 31, 2016!
P.P.S. Did you know that I also give BIRTH ANGEL INTUITIVE READINGS based on the day and time you were born. Curious? Let me know.
Copyright Lore Raymond, 2016. No portion of the blog post or information on this site may be reprinted, re-used or copied to another site without prior written permission from the author.
Your reason #5 hits home for me. I don't know anything about my conception, natal growth, birthing except that mom was in and out of labor for a very long time and they kept her at the hospital a long time because the roads were icy. That's it...don't know if my parents were happy to have me, happy during pregnancy, nothing. This leaves me without any roots to hold onto which contributes to troubles with self-confidence.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and suggestion earlier this morning.
DeleteLovely Lore! ANGOL
ReplyDeleteI highly appreciate your writing.
What I need today.
I am an active practitioner of the Ho'oponopono. Recently upsetting to family issues.
I know I must look for my answers inside me
and cleaned.
Thank you for your questions. They help a lot.
I am grateful for them.
Thank you and you are most welcome. Hopefully this topic of writing might serve you as you move through family issues. All is well, all the time, Theresia. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Both of my parents have passed away and I wish I would have talked to them about this.
ReplyDeleteWell, perhaps there's a way to construct your story...or do you have children? If yes, you can help write THEIR birth stories.
DeleteI love the story of how you got your name, "Lore." In a digital world, the importance of documenting our lineage is becoming increasingly important. Thank you for sharing your birth story!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jill. I hadn't thought about...yes. keeping both a digital and touch record.
DeleteA beautiful story idea, Lore. Both of my parents are deceased, although I know a lot of my birth story, from my mother and older sister. I was a surprise born 12 years after my brother and 16 years after my sister.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you do know your birth story. And indeed your were a SURPRISE! A HUGS...Happy Unexpected God Surprise.
DeleteMy birth story was told often when I was growing up, especially on my birthday. I have shared it with my girls but have also started to keep a journal of stories about my life growing up to pass on to the grandkids, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition, Barb. Is there a written birth story for your children and grandkids?
DeleteI love your birth story Lore! It's made me stop and realize that I don't know mine. Hmmm time to ask my dad what he knows. xo
ReplyDeleteHappy that this inspired, Deb. Also how fun if you help write your grandson's birth story and your daughter's too.
DeleteYes, it's quite intriguing that most of us don't know "how we cam to be" yet can see the value in bringing that piece of ourselves home.
ReplyDeleteI like your words, "bringing that piece of ourselves home", Kellie. That's what this process does as well as the finished product as a legacy. Thanks.
DeleteYes important I believe to write our stories period- awakens a gift within us
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that, Suzie, 'Awakens a gift within us." Do you know your birth story?
DeleteWow, this makes me so sad! I don't know any of the answers and my mom is gone eleven years now. I have a daughter (adopted) and I think I'll let her know as much of this stuff that fits (she wasn't in utero in me, for example). Thank you!
ReplyDeleteUnderstood, Sue. I, too have an adopted daughter, age 25, and my only child. I am writing her birth story. It will be in the book, Midlife Transformation. How tender if you could do that for your daughter. Let me know what unfolds if you choose!
DeleteBeautiful suggestion. I was not a "wanted child" and my parents once boosted about how much money they were given via a failed IUD. Little did they really realize this set me up for a lack of value and worth. I am now writing my new birth of how I wish my life to be. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWrite on, write on, dear Natasha! You can write that new birth story, a new TELL-A-VISION! Are they still living? Might you interview them for your story to see where they are NOW?
DeleteGreat idea. The most famous part of my birth story is that my husband was delivered an hour and twenty-nine minutes after I was delivered -- in the same hospital! Our dads were waiting in the waiting room together... but I didn't meet him or hear this story until I was 18 years old.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really cool story, Stacey! Have you ever written about it?
DeleteLore I love this idea and the photos you provide. I always wondered about your name. You are the only Lore I know.
ReplyDeleteAhh, thank you, Lea. I too wonder about your beautiful name. Happy you found a way to comment. What did you have to do that was different to comment?
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ReplyDeleteI love this post Lore, hearing some of your birth story and being encouraged to write mine! My mother was the president of Planned Parenthood in the late 1960's and became unexpectedly pregnant with me using birth control. It was very embarrassing to her and she had to step down. I found out later that my grandmother had become unexpectedly pregnant with her and I continued the tradition by becoming unexpectedly pregnant with my daughter Fiona who will be 21 on Saturday when I was in graduate school. I intend to use your writing prompts to explore more of this story and am so grateful you shared this wonderful post! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a story, Kelley! Happy that the prompts might assist you!
DeleteVery interesting prompts Lore. Now I'm curious as to what emotions my mother was feeling during her pregnancy with me. I'll ask her next time she comes to visit. Gracias for the idea ;)
ReplyDeleteLove your prompts Lore! they made me realize that there are some things I don't know about my birth story! Time to ask my mom! :) Thanks for such a great and inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteI can set up my new idea from this post. It gives in depth information. Thanks for this valuable information for all,.. air force mom
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