Of all the times, it had to be during a blizzard that Anna went into labour. She still had three weeks left according to her dates, and by then, the storm might have eased off, the frost mellowed, and she could have made her way to the hospital with no fuss. But no, the little one had ideas of his own!
Truth be told, it was hardly Annas decisionit was the one inside her calling the shots. He was impatient, it seemed, and the cramped space had clearly become too much. What did he care that a blizzard had swept through the village for six days already? The roads were piled high with snow, cars wouldnt stand a chance, and even on foot, people sank up to their waists. The snow just kept pouring down from the sky as though someone up there had spilt a bag of flour. Anna would glance out the window to a world blanketed in white, snow swirling endlessly. Venturing out into the yard was an ordealthe biting wind would slap her face, filling her eyes with snow, making it impossible to look ahead.
Yet, in a blizzard such as this, her baby decided to be born.
That morning, Anna felt offher back ached, she was weighed down with exhaustion, and couldnt get comfortable no matter how she sat or lay. She kept wandering about. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Parker, noticed and asked,
Anna, are you going into labour, love? Whats got you so fidgety?
Im not sure, Mum. I just cant settle.
Let me have a look at your bump.
Mrs. Parker wasnt particularly wise in womens affairsthese days, after all, doctors and hospitals handle it all. Midwifery, once common, had all but vanished, and only one midwife was left in the village, whereas once there had been three.
Looks like your bumps dropped, Anna. Babys ready to come.
But its too early, Mum!
Not for us to decide, darling. Its as the Lord sees fit.
Tears pricked Annas eyesshe was scared, after all, it was her first time and she didnt have a clue what to do. Her mother-in-law, with just one son born decades ago, hardly remembered a thing herself.
Ill fetch Mrs. Vera, the midwife, Mrs. Parker said. Ill put the kettle onwhen it boils turn it off, all right? If youre up to it, get out the clean towels and bed linen. You know where everything is, just have it ready. But dont strain yourselfif its too much, leave it be. When I had Michael, Mrs. Vera made me walk about. Keep moving, she said, and breathe deep. Helps the baby along. Mrs. Parker wrapped her scarf tight. And Ill nip into see Nancy, your mum, on the way. You hang on, Anna. Mrs. Vera knows her stuffback in my day, women came from other villages just to have her deliver their babies. Youll be fine.
With that, she bundled up, grabbed the shovel handle for support, and disappeared into the snowstorm.
Anna was left alone, more frightened than ever. What if labour started now and no one was there? How would her mother-in-law manage in this weather? And what if her own mum couldnt get through? She didnt even know what she ought to be doing, other than walking and breathing, but how could she, when each stab of pain made her breath stick in her chest?
Oh, if only Michael were hereto support her, to tell her she could do it, that hed be right there. But thanks to the blizzard, he was stuck in the city. No buses, no roadwayshe had no idea how soon hed become a dad. Anna hunched over as the pain shot through her back.
A strong blast of snowy air filled the entryway as Annas mother, Nancy, stumbled into the house.
Anna, dearest! Mrs. Parker said youre in labour!
Yes, Mum.
All right, love, Im here. Ive brought some dried berries, lets get a pot on and make some compote. Well need to boil water
An hour later, Mrs. Parker returned with Mrs. Vera. The midwife was a tiny, sprightly old lady, her face creased with years of experience. She gave Anna a once-over and declared,
Shell have the baby by morning.
By morning? Anna nearly squeaked. Its not even lunchtime! This started a bit yesterday.
Those were just the warm-ups, lovey. You can feel them days ahead. Now youre only a little bit dilated. Dont rushtomorrow you’ll have your baby. Ill pop back home for now
Please stay, Mrs. Vera, Anna pleaded. Ill feel much better with you here.
The midwife, whod helped bring hundreds of babies into the world, relented.
Alright, Ill stay for a bit. When the mums calm, the baby comes smoother.
Anna had no idea the warm-ups were just the beginning, like the early snowdrops that bring a flash of joy but soon vanish. Then came contractions she could never have been braced for. Pain seemed to tear her in twoshe could barely breathe, couldnt stand, couldnt lie still, felt nothing but pain.
Mrs. Parker and Nancy didnt know how to helpthey shuffled with anxious sighs, wringing their hands. Mrs. Vera shooed them away to iron the linens, to keep them from fussing.
By nightfall, it grew quieter. Mrs. Vera checked again. Opened to four fingers, she reported. Its slow, but thats normal for a first-timer. Babys got a new road to travel. Anna could hardly move, her strength spent. When the contractions eased for a moment, she managed to eat a little. Mrs. Vera coaxed her to sleep, so she could build her strength.
Meanwhile, the blizzard raged on, fiercer than ever.
At four in the morning, Anna jolted awake. The room was pitch black, only Mrs. Veras gentle snores nearby.
Please, God, help me, Anna whispered, turning to the icons on the shelf. Let my baby come safely.
The pain surged back, sharper than ever. Mrs. Vera checked: Five fingers now. Itll be a while yet but thats first labours for you. Youll manage, love.
When dawn broke, Anna was drained, shirt sticking to her skin, hair matted, eyes glazed over.
Not long now, said Mrs. Vera. The babys almost here.
Grandmahelp me, Grandma! Anna cried out desperately.
Whats this, Anna? her mother gasped. Theres no Grandma here. Sleep deprivation is making you see things. To Mrs. Parker she explained, She calls her great-grandmother Grandma. Couldnt say Gran as a tot, so she called her Grandmaeveryone still calls her that. Anna was Grandma Zoes favourite, her first great-granddaughter after only sons and grandsons.
Anna, we can see the babys head! Come on, sweetheart, just a push more, Mrs. Vera coached her, breathing in rhythm.
Anna gave it everything, screaming and pushing, and then again, Grandma, help me, I cant and as she cried out she brought her child into the world, straight into Mrs. Veras waiting hands.
Perhaps hes the last Ill deliver, the old midwife thought, smiling at this new life. Carefully, she placed the baby on Annas tummy.
Its a boy, Anna, a beautiful boy, she whispered. Just look at your handsome son! And such a voicehell rule the place, mark my words.
Anna sobbed for joy, kissing her sons tiny fingers. How could such a marvellous thing have grown inside her? If only Michael had been there to see their beautiful little boy. She whispered,
Charlie, my Charlie
Charlie? Mrs. Parker echoed. You said if it was a boy, hed be George!
But hes Charliecant you see? Anna smiled. Charles Michael.
Mrs. Vera tidied up, exhausted herself. Helping new life into the world was its own joy, but took its toll. Still, she had to get home now, even if it meant braving the dying storm.
With Anna and her son resting, Nancy too gathered herself to goshe hadnt been home in over a day. Bundled to her eyes, she slipped out quietly.
To her surprise, the snow was letting upno great flakes now, just a light powder falling. Maybe Michael would be able to return tomorrow, or the day after.
I’ll drop in on Grandma Zoe, Nancy thought, Shell be so pleased. Maybe she needs somethingbread perhaps, though I just brought her some.
Grandma Zoe, Annas great-grandmother, lived just two houses awaya sturdy, independent woman, nearly ninety-three. Shed always insisted on staying on her own, managing in her quiet way, and they were just nearby to bring food or lend a hand.
Nancy pushed open the garden gateit squeaked, and she saw the shovel propped by the fence, probably left by her husband Alex yesterday. Clearing a path to the door, she swept the stoop and stepped inside.
Grandma Zoeits Nancy! Ive come to check up on you! Nancy called out, stamping her feet, brushing the snow from her coat. She had to shout; Grandma was hard of hearing.
No reply. She must be sleeping, Nancy thought, feeling a pang of guilt for waking her. She took off her boots, shed her coat, and entered the front room.
There was Grandma Zoe, lying on the bed, hands folded neatly across her chest, dressed all in clean clothes Nancy didnt recogniseshed obviously changed specially for the occasion. A snow-white scarf was tied on her head, brand new by the look of it. Nancy went to her, brushed away her tears, and gently closed the old ladys eyes.
On the little table beside her sat a photo of Anna, an icon of Saint Nicholas, and the stub of a candle.
Thank you, Grandma, Nancy whispered, kissing her wrinkled cheek. You helped Anna through. Shes had a baby boy. Called him CharlesCharlie. But of course, you knew all along, didnt you
And so it wasa new life entering as an old one left, and the lesson was clear: in every ending there is a beginning, and love runs through their gentle hands, binding generations together as the snow quietly drifts away.
