That's me, beaming away, just moments after meeting Ina May Gaskin and having her sign my copy of her new book at an appearance in Brooklyn on Sunday.
Ina May has been called the mother of authentic midwifery and the most important person in maternity care in North America, and I have long admired her and utilized her books equally as reference texts and spiritual guides to birth and motherhood.
It was such a thrill to hear her speak (at length, before a packed venue), such a privilege to absorb her wisdom in person (from the front row -- I got there early!), and an absolute joy to experience her down-to-earth personality and hilarious sense of humor. To top it all off, I have to say that at 70 years young she has quite the quirky-cute fashion sensibility (making her even more of my idol than she already was). My girlfriends, Jen and Nancy, and I were just plain giddy to be there.
Early on in her talk, Ina May said something that I keep thinking about: we live in such a fast-paced, mechanized world -- we inhabit vast urban and suburban environments, we rely ever more on our beloved phones, computers and electronic gadgets, we do so many things with the aid of machines and technology -- it's easy to forget a simple fact, which is that
we are Nature.
Other memorable moments:
- Hearing Ina May debunk some of the fundamental building blocks of Western thought, including Plato's ideas on the body, before going on to opine on the merits of fart jokes and Wayne's World.
- Listening to her talk about humor as an excellent anecdote to fear.
- Two words: Sphincter Law.
- She shared the story of the birth of her first child, which occurred in a hospital and involved various unnecessary and traumatic interventions, which was very fascinating and moving to hear about. She said she is now grateful for that experience because of what she learned from it.
- "Men think only their stuff can get big and then small again without being ruined." Brought the house down.
It was great. I can't wait to read the new book!
Oh my word, I would be beside myself to get to see Ina May in person. How lucky are you?! It sounds like such a great time.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the quote. Too funny!
I love that picture of you at the top, you are literally BEAMING! So cute! Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this.
ReplyDeleteit's great that you got to meet her Leigh! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing opportunity. By the way, I love your new blog banner- that red balloon makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteoh how exciting!!!!!!!! i can only imagine how awesome her energy would be in person! what a lucky lady you are!!!
ReplyDeleteYei!!!!!!!!!! I looove ina may, she has been an amazing companion during my pregnancy with her three books, and I already ordered my copy of the new one (it´ll take a while, since we live in chile). It´s so great that you could meet her, and you´re right, she has such cool style!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!
You ARE beaming! I was beaming with you. SO THRILLED you were able to hear her! Can't wait to get all the details!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU!
BEAMING, you are! And we, vicariously, right along with you!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you got to have this unforgettable experience. Look forward to hearing details & reading her new book.
YAY for you & Ina May!!
I'm giddy for you! What an incredible experience!!
ReplyDeleteI would have been so star struck! HOw cute is her outfit?
ReplyDeleteI just read your post for the second time and still got shivers! I think she is my living idol.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome Leigh!! I wish I was right there with you!! The quote is hilarious and perfect.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Ariella
Thanks for sharing. What an inspiration she is!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely moment! i'm so gitty for you!
ReplyDeleteah, the many many copies i've given to soon-to-be mothers.
ina may definitely shaped how i saw myself as a pregnant mother. the biggest lesson - me, baby, love, and nature (and sprinkle in some faith) is all that is ever needed.
That is really awesome, thank you for sharing this. Now I want to check if she's coming through the Bay...
ReplyDeleteWow! Look at that crowd! I'm so sad that I had to miss the event. I had the privilege of attending an all-day workshop with her at the Open Center in 2008, though, and will be forever grateful. She is both wise and hilarious, as you pointed out, and I'm so grateful she's out there doing what she's doing.
ReplyDeleteReading all these excited comments is making me want to get a gang of us together to go on a pilgrimage: let's all of us meet at the Farm!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is just so incredible. So fabulous. My late midwife, oh rest her soul, reminded me of Ina May, the only midwife like her in this area. I will never forget her. I am so glad you had the chance to meet!
ReplyDeleteSteph
How wonderful! I read her books during pregnancy as well. They were excellent guides, very comforting and informative. It would be a thrill to meet her! I'm glad you had the opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteIncredibly jealous that you've got to meet her - I credit her with enabling me to home birth both my babies and to give me the confidence that hospital was not the right place and that I should take charge of my own body and my own birth experience
ReplyDeleteYou look as if you loved every second!
Wow amazing. I can't wait to get pregnant to read all her books. She's such a force. I've seen interviews and she's incredible.
ReplyDeleteI am with you! Off to the farm!
ReplyDeleteI loved how hearing her speak made me fall in love with my body all over again.
Oops! Florence is me, Nancy. :)
ReplyDeleteoh my, you are a lucky girl. Did you know that a documentary is being made about The Farm?! How amazing will that be! On my way to order the book right now! x
ReplyDeleteJodi, the place was crawling with documentary cameras! it comes out in 2012, and i can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteNancy, that's it. The Farm or bust!!!
Come a little further south and we'll prepare a down home Southern meal.
ReplyDeleteI so wanted to go and didn't end up being able to make it - thanks for the recap. I can't wait to get the book!
ReplyDeleteWe're watching "The Business of Being Born" in my Advisory class (the girls have all been blown away by the idea of midwives and home birth - one girl asked, "How can she have a baby standing up?!?") When Ina May came on, I said, "My friend just met her the other day!!"
ReplyDeleteOh man, thanks for this post, I was soo sad that I could not go. She is so unbelievable cool. Thanks for the recap.
ReplyDeleteWow. What an amazing experience, to hear her wise and wonderful words in the flesh!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for Ina May, the road she's paved allowed me to have the birth I did!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity! You New Yorkers have all the fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recap of the night. I was unaware that Ina May had a new book out. Have you read it? I look forward to hearing your full review.
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net