Dear Chloe, part IV

Then your Grandmother Diana held you, and sat down close to your Mom, so all three of you girls were snuggled together in a little triangle. Diana is most strong and beautiful and good when she is with her little ones. As I watched her gently getting to know you, and gently communicating with the woman who had been her own little girl I thought of something I had written long ago when your Mother was ten years old.

Your uncle Isaiah had just been born in the little farmhouse in Oregon. Your Mother, always adventurous and curious and eager to do things, had planned on helping with Isaiah's delivery, along with your Aunt Katie. It was kind of frightening for them when Isaiah's labor was under way, but they stayed close by and helped as much as they could. Here are a few words from the notes I made about that day in December, 1993:

"...the girls rush in, surprised to hear that unmistakable sound so soon, and breathlessly look upon their tiny brother. There is something new in those mature little faces as they look into their Mother's eyes, for they have somehow travailed together, and have discovered new respect for this noble woman, and a curious new bond pulls them toward one another. I wonder if they realize what I can see as I stand aside and watch. In a few short years this bloody miracle may happen again, but next time they will exchange roles."