My turn: Grandson's birth emotional

Less than three hours before my 43rd birthday last Wednesday, I became a grandma.

In witnessing my grandson, Giovanni’s birth, Scriptures came to mind, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5) and “I have called you by name” (Isaiah 43).

I prayed for my daughter Laura to have a safe delivery. I knew it wouldn’t be pain-free, even with the last-minute epidural, which the nurse, Dina, explained, “Is God’s gift to women for Eve eating the apple.”

Laura wasn’t spared pain but she courageously experienced the entire child birth process, something I didn’t do. I had a cesarean with her, my only child.

Laura’s husband, Nino, was equally courageous. In the early stages, he wasn’t sure whether he could witness birth. But he stayed and as his son arrived and Nino cut the umbilical cord and was emotional as he held Giovanni.

I had an angel, a nurse who took care of me when I had Laura, during “the longest night of my life.” I was in so much pain.

Laura had me, Nino, her mother-in-law, Aurora, and her best-friend Lety present. I think Lety was an angel to both of us. I was so emotional that I could hardly do anything but watch. Lety coached and encouraged Laura.