Nature Verses Invention-Intervention

We are currently into a mind challenging waiting period that is ten days past due-date for my weight gaining grandson.  It is becoming both a physical and mental exercise for Page who feels the burden of the heavy load.  She is feeling like a ticking time bomb wondering when her natural Pitocin induced contractions will begin.  With a full Blue Moon transitioning us into a September birth we hope that the natural forces of the moon’s pull will safely and naturally guide Sebastian into the world.  We are hopeful that there will be no need to travel down the slippery slope of hospitalized intervention.

Today, as with most days, I like to climb the cellulite burning hills that surround us. I find it clears my mind and settles any anxiety that comes from three weeks of waiting.   We are surrounded by a natural gymnasium that is both challenging and invigorating.  While those in urbanized areas are running on treadmills, elliptical machines, and stair steppers, I am stepping into nature’s fitness center by pushing myself up winding, steep hills that quickly make demands on my muscles, heart, and lungs.    Here there is no mind numbing TV program.   From the moment I step from the house nature embraces me.  I am joined by colorful butterflies and one unusual looking, giant, white caterpillar that slowly undulates toward bushes that will support his eating habits and eventual cocoon.  Leaf cutter ants carry a heavy burden, many times their weight, back to feed the hungry colony that waits somewhere nearby.  The ant reminds me that if it can climb these hills, with a leaf on its back, then so can I.  Along the road there’s a large cement gutter carrying gallons of fast moving clear water from the rain soaked mountains above.  I pretend that it is a rushing stream and try to keep pace with the sound.  Today thankfully, the wind blew a cooling breeze across the fields and up the mountain side.  It is a welcome relief in the heat of the morning sun. 

With each mountain crest I enjoy the kindness of strangers calling out “Ola, Buenos Dias”  to me as I trudge on by.   Smiles and waves are always exchanged.  I am encouraged to continue up each new hill by sweet over weight old men who I see daily.  They cheer me on with unknown words of kindness and laughter for the gringo woman who climbs the hills merely for exercise; not the purpose of reaching my home.    I have also made friends with a few of the dogs that live along the way.  They come to greet me in their own friendly way. 

My reward, upon reaching the top, are the sounds that add a new dimension to music from my I-Pod.  I see cool winds send rustling ripples through banana leaves.  I hear water gushing down gullies, roosters crowing, birds singing, and dragonflies buzzing.  I am always rewarded by the stunning beauty of the multi-hued green mountain sides lush with vegetation.   Today, of all days, I am reminded that nature is calling upon us to be patient.  It is reminding us to embrace the mystery and wonder of it all.  Babies come when they are ready.  And, like the undulating forces deep in the earth that made these crazy steep hills, labor will start naturally if we relax and allow the natural forces to prevail.