“Sometimes, an experience begins in ruins. Flesh is torn, blood is spilt. Everything hurts, and nothing is as we planned it, or we hoped for. And yet not everything is lost. The pleasure is only postponed. The joy will come. First, we must mend and then heal.” 

Episode 8 was our season finale. The show dealt with several storylines. We had births and weddings. We had tears with pain, sorrow, and joy. We saw individuals at low points and then rise to the occasion. I felt a theme of fathers threaded throughout our storylines. And, we saw the joy with pulling together and organizing celebrations. We had the celebration of First Vows with Sister Catherine, and we had the organization of Nancy and Roger’s wedding. I always love when Geoffrey comes to add flair and assistance to Nonnatus House festivities.

There was a fire at Arbury House, which required the relocation of four expectant unwed teen mothers. Two were close to term with our young Paula Cunningham, age 14 years, among them. And we had two who had already given birth with adoptions pending. As well, Nancy and Colette Corrigan, along with fiancé Roger Noble, returned to Poplar. Wow – they returned with an unexpected pregnancy, then her unexpected birth, and then their wedding.  

As a modern-day midwife, I was really touched by several aspects – symbolic and concrete symbols – within these storylines. When the midwives and nuns came out with their yellow blankets, it felt like they were wrapping the young women in warmth, support, safety, and love. They reached their hands and arms out and they were there for them. 

The team noted the vulnerability of young Paula, and they went out of their way to support and optimize a difficult situation. They moved her to the clinic setting and then to the Mother House. When I watched Rosalind preparing her for her birth, it made me reflect on a recent simulation that my students and I had just done. We had been debriefing after the simulation that for communication to be effective, it should be complete, clear, brief, and timely. 

When I was watching Rosalind, I was so struck by her compassion and skills with teaching. She paired her teaching with visual aids of a pelvis; analogies that would help with comprehension; and paired using the correct terminologies with age-appropriate language. Well done, Rosalind!

The fathers in our storylines were very supportive. We had Roger Noble and his role in sharing the news of Nancy’s pregnancy with Colette, his future daughter. He was sensitive to everything that Nancy and Colette had previously experienced. He showed love and respect. 

Mr. Cunningham showed love and support to Paula by visiting her at the clinic and trying to communicate with his wife about Paula. When he called her after the birth, he was sensitive as he heard her cries of anguish. Even Sister Catherine’s father showed his support by sending money for the train fare for Sister Catherine’s sister, Ellen, to attend the First Vows ceremony. When we heard that he had been abused at the hands of Roman Catholic nuns, we got a window into his biases and trepidation regarding her chosen path. 

Celebrations are always so meaningful. Sometimes, it is the little things that we realize are really not that little. These things have significance and carry meaning and help us remember. Mrs. Cunningham saved one of the baby booties for Paula. Sister Monica Joan arrived at the Mother House and shared with Sister Catherine, “I wish you the peace that I have known. And more.” 

In our episode, there were challenges and at times things or people seemed quite broken. The vase that Reggie wanted to give to the wedding couple was literally broken. We witnessed births that needed assistance with forceps or suturing. We saw sweat, blood, and tears with births, and even Reggie when he was bullied. But we also witnessed friendships and their support and love that helped heal them as they traveled their path in life. 

With Nancy’s pregnancy, we had those who silently noted but kept it to themselves (Sister Veronica) and friends and colleagues who kept sacred secrets (Miss Higgins, Phyllis, Violet). We saw a mother come to see her grandchild before the adoption was to take place and instead welcomed her daughter and that baby back into their family fold. We witnessed joy and togetherness. Weddings are so full of hope and expectation as they look to the unknown future. We had flowers, the clothes, the shoes, balloons, food, and even sparklers. Love, friendship, and a helping hand are like a salve on a wound. It is what makes life worth all the twists and turns.

When the vase broke, I knew that it would be repaired with the ancient Japanese method called Kintsugi. I love this Japanese art form, which dates back to the 15th century, whereby they repair broken pottery with gold. The broken pieces are reassembled and joined together using lacquer and often mixed with gold powder. It is meant to enhance the beauty of the broken object. 

Highlighting these cracks with gold gives honor to the history, path, and journey we or it has traveled. It celebrates resiliency and is a visual testament to it. Kintsugi literally means “golden repair” or “joining with gold.” Essentially, it is a metaphor for life. Kintsugi embraces the idea that we are actually more beautiful with our flaws. Within each of us there are imperfections, and they are part of our own unique story. 

Geoffrey helped Reggie with repairing the vase and sharing it with the couple to celebrate their union. And this act of mending and highlighting the broken pieces showed true beauty and can symbolize our own character and elements of our strength and resiliency. The beauty is in our journey. Our journeys are never perfect but filled with moments that can test our strength. Rather than hiding our imperfections and flaws or seeing them as negative, we can accept them. The beauty of what is!! This encourages acceptance and mindfulness.

This season, we saw many broken paths and stories of courage, strength, and resiliency. We were witnesses to the story form of Kintsugi. Thank you, Call the Midwife for another season of joy, and I look forward to your return for Season 15. 

“Sometimes, we are made whole simply because another heart has started beating. Our blood runs richer and our soul sings. Suddenly perfect and complete. And, sometimes, we heal because we realize we did not break alone. The darkness was never absolute, the rain was never all there was. The tears, like mother's milk, were only temporary. Where we were torn, we are mended. And if there are scars, they will be beautiful. We are each other’s light, each other’s gold, each other’s hope. Forever fragile and forever valiant.  Bound by love, we will outlive the stars.”