See you on the flip side.


Once upon a time, in the beginning,
a labor of love was undertaken.

It started with a sign, to show that something was about to happen. Light came forth from the deep darkness, bright, clear and unmistakable.
And it was very good.

At the second time, the waters were broken. At first, they gushed, then they dried to a trickle, and a space was created. It was exactly the right size. By now, the creation was well underway.
And it was very good.

At the third time, a cradle was made ready. It was comfortable and beautiful and waiting. And food was prepared, issuing sweetly and warmly and in precisely the right measure from the being of the laborer.
And it was very good.

At the fourth time, rhythm was established. Ebbing and flowing, contracting and expanding, pain and joy, sun and moon, beginning and ending. The labor of love progressed.
And it was very good.

At the fifth time, there was a ceaseless activity. Fluttering like the wings of the dove, humming like the murmur of the dragonfly, swimming like the darting golden fish, wriggling like the lithe serpent, leaping like the flashing deer, surging like the mighty lion.
And it was very good.

At the sixth time, there was a momentary, endless hesitation. Then a child was born. And the child looked just like the one who had given her life. The child too was born with the power to create and to make decisions, and to love.
The laborer looked at all that had been accomplished, and rejoiced, for it was very good.

At the seventh time, the labor was finished. The task was complete. And the laborer rested, for she was very, very tired.

--from the Iona Community