Holding on

I know there are times in my life that I struggle and struggle just to hold on to my sanity. So many times I have wanted just to give up or not wake up the next morning to the same thing. But I've pressed forward, knowing that the struggle will not last forever and that at some point after the struggle I find great rewards from going through that struggle.

Because of this I have come to realize that, while things can be rough at points in our life, the struggle to hold on reaps benefits in the end. I see this in labor as women work to find their way through the emotions of labor. In particular I see the difficulties of giving in. This is not really about whether or not you get an epidural or choose to endure the pain...this is about our emotional state. Emotionally when women have given in (whether or not they have an epidural), I see a look of despair and helplessness. It pains me to see this, because I want these beautiful women to know how strong they really are and how important what they have done and what they are doing is.

I want to hold them and rock them and tell them to hold on...just hold on...in the end..after the pain...will be joy.