There seems to be a new tradition to celebrate the birth of a child. The tradition of a gift, given from the Daddy of a newborn to the Mommy. It seems that a piece of jewelry or some lasting token of appreciation is presented to the new Mom. I like the sentiment and wish it were more commonly practiced when I was giving birth. I can't recall any of my pregnant friends showing off a significant token for their efforts, it was more like a vase of flowers or a sweet sentimental card. I like this new tradition. In thinking about this lovely new gift tradition, I wondered if this is just the completion of a circle of gifts. Like the wedding ring, which has no beginning or end, the first gift is from the man. Without his gift there could not be the creation of new life. The man gives his gift to the woman and she accepts it, nurtures it carefully in order to give the gift of life. Ultimately this gift gives back to both the man and the woman. A legacy of family longevity and a sort of immortality. That's quite a return on the initial gift. And so it goes. The gift of a new life created and then a token of appreciation to the woman. What a beautiful sentiment. One of the definitions of a gift is a favor. When the man favors the woman, she responds and returns the favor by presenting him with offspring that keeps the species thriving. The man favors the woman who favors the man in return and so it goes. The word contribution is also another way to define gift. This definition seems to fit well since each makes a contribution to continue the circle of life. When you give a gift, often you deliver it or arrange to have it delivered. You choose the appropriate gift for the occasion with thoughtfulness and love. Is it coincidence that the words used in childbirth are labor and delivery? Women labor over their gift, to deliver it with care. Another definition of giving is sacrifice. The sacrifice doesn't end when the child is delivered into the world. The parents are just beginning a life of unselfish service to this gift they have created. The tradition of the "birth gift" is only one part of the whole gifting experience. A nice part of it, to be sure.

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Lenore ZurWelle