PERHAPS LOVE DOES August 10, 2023August 15, 2023 PERHAPS LOVE DOES? Tuesday was one ordinary day. The swinging clinic door was motionless; the postpartum ward was only inhabited by two labor-fatigued mamas in recovery — dozing on and off while side-lying with their newborns suckling at their breasts. And the Birth Room, with its curtain-partitioned, make-shift cubbies, lay vacant with no hopeful mamas laboring through contractions, accompanied by their partners. All was calm. When the clinic is quiet, the mid-wive’s quarters are lit with chica-chica, laughter, and music streaming from any number of cellphoness in the room. In the middle of the animated chaos, one of the shift members proposed, “Let’s get coffee!’” Let me digress for a moment—the US is light years away from the GRAB delivery system perfected by Filipino culture. How could this even be possible?? For starters, you can actually order almost anything online or over the phone including multi-ethnic food offerings, a multitude of a vast variety of beverages or even many miscellaneous household items, which all would be in your hot little hands within minutes. Last week, Rick and I tested the system and ordered dinner via phone from an Indian-inspired restaurant in the area. Not only was our dinner delivered via motorcycle within 15 minutes (in the pouring rain!), it was also “piping hot.”And further, an employee of the eatery called a few minutes post food delivery to ensure our order was up-to-par. Very impressive! GRAB IN ACTION Back to Tuesday: The Filipino supervisor on this particular shift began the laborious task of compiling the staff’s coffee orders which were to be delivered. While I was watching this unfold, I casually suggested that I would “pick-up the tab.” And so I did. The coffee offerings were delivered and of course, the cell phone cameras began flashing. Culturally, event-photoing is crucial and a monumental part of any celebratory moment in time. Even coffee deliveries! The midwives response to a such a simple, ordinary gift was astonishing. And further, their murmurings of gratitude were voiced throughout the entire shift. I was stunned by the level of appreciation for such a meager overture. I was moved deeply by these women who would find such a simple gesture so enormous. On all levels, they model true, authentic, gratefulness. This is a story I want to live into. Author: Sherry Gregory Uncategorized
This story makes me want a cup of coffee…. And I don’t drink coffee (maybe a Mountain Dew 😜). Love all the smiles in the pictures. Interesting that their food delivery system is so advanced when other more simple things are far behind. I do have a follow up question (as always) as I often notice things that don’t line up (which is my type A symmetrical viewing personality). Why are you in GREEN and the rest in BLUE? ….. is GREEN reserved for senior citizens ? 😜😜. I do admit that I miss having you around to share my ZINGERS with….. (or maybe jabs). Counting the days down when we can be together again playing Tripoli and eating ice cream…..Reply
I am “green” in anticipation of all of the “ZINGERS” I am going to have to endure. . .:-))))))during our game/ice cream times when I am running out of chips. . .Reply
Love hearing about those sweet-every-day kinda blessings! I’m sure you are a blessing every day to all those mid-wives as well as mamas!Reply