Goodness Weekly 5.6.24
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
- Mother Teresa
What’s Good
Charis Park is nearing completion! We can hardly believe our eyes when we see the incredible progress that is happening in what was previously an empty asphalt parking lot. This past week the main walkway was poured, a number of trees were planted from the City of San Antonio’s donation, the flagstone was set under the beautiful pergola, and the trunks of the cedar trees that used to live in front of the chapel were brought back onto the campus to live their new life as reclaimed art in the park. We can’t wait to see you there for all the many opportunities that will be present to eat, to play, to rest, and to connect with one another.
Mother’s Day
Message from Mae Czarnecki, Communications Coordinator, Sunset Ridge Collective
Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday.
I have specialized in photographing mothers my entire photography career, which coincides with my experience of motherhood. The way I have done this is by sharing my story, often vulnerably, in hopes of connecting with a mother in a way that makes them feel less alone. Because I desperately wanted to feel less alone. This process is extremely cyclical. Connecting with followers, turned clients, turned friends, who eventually encourage and inspire me in turn, and a beautiful cycle continues.
Part of photographing mothers has included photographing births.
My style usually appeals to women who choose to birth at home or a birth center with a midwife or doula. I meet with them early in their pregnancy, discuss their desires for the day they meet this new mystery person, and anxiously wait from 37-42 weeks for “the call” at any hour of the day, any day of the week.
I recently had my first birth client after several years away.
I drove up to her home, double checked all of my camera batteries, took a deep breath, slid off my shoes at the door, and walked into the chilly house. I could hear a low moan coming from the back of the house as I sat down my bag, took out my camera, and adjusted my settings. When the contraction ended, her husband walked out of the bedroom to greet me with a huge smile and a hug saying, “It’s baby day.”
He escorted me back to say hello to his bride, hard at work, grateful for another source of emotional support in her journey to bring earthside her new baby. The doula and I became acquainted between contractions. The bond grew strong quickly over a single glance at each other when we heard mom’s birthing sounds change. We both knew it meant it was time for the midwife to get there. Fast.
Toting in more bags than the doula and I had combined, the midwife arrived, sat down her things, got out her tools, and started gathering data from this mother. Her timing was perfect, as this particular point of labor is the most intense part for mothers–the transition. We began to wonder if we could actually do this, and we desperately wanted it all to be over. She locked eyes with mom to remind her quite a few times, “Yes, this hurts, but it’s because you’re about to meet your baby.”
And sure enough, twenty minutes later, we were all patting our eyes dry with relieved breaths as mom sat in the tub in pure elation, holding her newborn in her arms. The team helped pass baby to their dad, assisted mom out of the tub, into the shower, and onto her bed. They took vitals, cleaned everyone up, and basked in the glow of a family grown.
Photo by Mae Czarnecki
During this Mother’s Day holiday, most of us take time to acknowledge the work of the mothers in our lives, and before we do that, I’d love to remind you of the beautiful role you can play in the lives of the mothers in your community. Each of us has the opportunity to show up for them, unpack our real or metaphorical bag of tools and gifts, and serve in some capacity to support the often unseen work they do. Not every opportunity is as exciting as helping to welcome a baby, but each one is necessary for the growth of mothers and their children.
This Week
Second Saturday, May 11th
9 AM Donation-Based Yoga
10:15 AM Storytime
Lunchtime Yoga Flow with NYX Wellness, Mon-Fri at 12pm
Coming Up…
Sunset Ridge Church 75th Anniversary Sunday, May 19th
Campus Closed Monday, May 27th for Memorial Day
Interested in more of what’s happening at Sunset Ridge Church? Please consider subscribing to Views from the Ridge.
Inhale:
May I be open to opportunities
Exhale:
to care for those who usually take care of others
