And now for our first installment of a daily-ish series—
What I Would Have Missed If I’d Gone into Labor Today.

• A morning devotional with the staff in which I learned the wonderful story of King Wenceslas (actually Duke of Bohemia). The legend is that he would bring food and firewood to the needy at Christmas. OK, it was part of his effort to Christianize the entire region, but still.
Corollary: I would have missed the opportunity to hum the exquisite Mel Torme version of that song for the rest of the day.

• A stress-free experience of shipping gifts to far-flung family and friends. Not only was I the only person in the shipping place, but the nice couple that runs the place offered me something to drink while I sat and waited for them to process my seven (!) boxes—then they gave me a 20% discount so as to make UPS comparable with the postal service.

• The chance to get my hair cut. I asked her to make it as short as possible, for ease in the mornings and to put off when I would need to get it cut again. They are normally ultra-quick in that place, but this time she took her time, getting it just right and using every combination of shears and electric clippers. I felt oddly cared for.

• Reading St. Casserole’s contribution on the blessingway-blog (see link on left) and remembering that wonderful song from Girl Scout Camp!

• The mind-boggling article I read in the Presbyterian Outlook this evening about the woman who served a tiny church at a time before her presbytery had a family leave policy. She had made all the necessary arrangements to be gone for several weeks after the birth of her child. Nonetheless, once she went into labor, one of the elders of the church came to her with all sorts of frets and concerns—while she was in the delivery room. Contracting. Dilating.
I shared the story with the session tonight, and thankfully they laughed incredulously at all the right places. We’ve come a long way.

• Speaking of the session meeting—tonight was my last before I leave. They’re actually still going as far as I know; I left at the break. However, before I left, Senior Pastor had the elders gather ‘round, lay on hands and offer a wonderful prayer of blessing.

I would have missed all that and more if I’d gone into labor today.