Blessing of the hands

The midwives are a really neat group of women. I am excited to be entering into such a fabulous "sorority" of sorts. My year is already very close and we look forward to learning and growing together. We have such an amazing range of experiences from two women who are already direct-entry (non-nursing) midwives to many who have been doulas to one who has never seen a birth. There are all sorts of talents and experiences, but one thing we all have in common is our calling into this field.

At the end of the semester, the midwives from all three years had the annual "Blessing of the Hands" ceremony. Next semester the third year students will enter into full time integration - working one-on-one with a midwife preceptor in a full time clinical practice. In preparation of their departure, the second year students (along with us, the first years) give each midwife a hand crafted bowl of her own and pour salt water over her hands into the bowl to bless those hands that will help bring new life into the world. It was a really beautiful ceremony.

Blessing of the hands

I help pour the water to bless a third year's hands.

(I have my back to the camera and am wearing a red skirt)

It was also a nice fellowship time - to be with our own class of midwives as well as the two above us.

Three first year midwives

At the end of the ceremony, we (first years) gave our "big siblings" a small gift as well. Each of us gave our "big" a small potted bamboo with a meaningful quote and hand made felt pin. Here I am with Katie, my big (who is an RPCV Kenya!)