Barbara Sellars, CNM
May 5, 2019
For forty years I have had the privilege of practicing midwifery, an endeavor more rewarding, demanding, and just plain fun than anything else in my life except motherhood. Thank you all for being a part of it - I have such wonderful memories!
As I midwife, one practices every day, in the same way a musician or an athlete, a yogi or an artist must practice. I would have happily continued to practice, learning new things and meeting new people, but the nights and the years caught up with me.
A year ago I stopped attending births, but have had the continuing pleasure of seeing clients for well-woman health care needs. Unfortunately, the office where I was subletting space at a very reasonable rate was closed at the end of March. Efforts to find affordable part-time space, suitably equipped, have been futile. WeWork doesn’t seem to have gyn exam rooms.
While I will no longer be practicing midwifery, I will always be a midwife. The email, texts, and phone calls will still reach me, and I maintain client records until the youngest child turns 21 years old, or it’s been more than 7 years since you were seen for other than pregnancy care.
Please stay in touch - I love seeing your photos and sharing your news. I will be gardening, traveling, and studying French.
Love and best wishes,
Barbara
On June 20, 2022
By Barbara
So exciting to be able to use my passport once more! I switched from studying French to working on my very basic Italian for a couple of months, and went to Sicily and Lake Como with my younger daughter and her husband for 2 weeks. Here’s me and a gelato in Ortigia, the old part of the Sicilian city of Siracusa, where we stayed before heading off to Bellagio. Wishing you all a wonderful summer!
On December 31, 2021
By Barbara
Best wishes for 2022. I hope you are all still safe and sane. I loved your holiday cards and the photos of you and your kids – they cheered me when I had to cancel my trip with my daughters to visit my Dad. That was a hard call, head over heart for sure. My father is 97 and immunocompromised, so we just couldn’t take the chance we’d bring Covid from our various home towns to Tulsa, OK. We’ll re-schedule as soon as it seems safe. Meantime, we keep on keeping on!
On July 14, 2021
By Barbara
Over 2,000 miles on the exercise bike I got when I became clear I would not be going back to the gym for a while.
Somewhat improved French, thanks to Rosetta Stone.
A completely refinished doorway and surround (33 windows = 132 corners!) and renovated foyer. (See previous blog post for “before” photo.)
A well-tended garden.
Soon after my second shot of the Moderna vaccine, my Dad fell and broke his hip. I flew down and spent a few days with him while he was still in the hospital in Tulsa, when the crowds at the airports were sparse and there were no lines at the TSA. Over Mother’s Day weekend, my daughters joined me in an Airbnb not far from Dad’s, and we all got to see how much his mobility had improved and enjoy his still-sharp wit. On that trip, there were more people flying but still few airport shops and restaurants open. To celebrate Dad’s 97th birthday recently, I made the trip once more. Great to see my father doing so well, but travel is no fun now – overcrowding and understaffing everywhere. Still, I am grateful to be able to GO again!
I hope you are all enjoying the summer, and staying healthy.
Clockwise from top: The Patriarch (my Dad); my sister Daphne; her grandson, Fox; Daphne’s daughter/Fox’s mother, Emily; my daughter Jennifer; my daughter Amy; and me.
On January 2, 2021
By Barbara
Wishing you all good things in this New Year – Love, Barbara
CBS Midwifery was established in 1982. The last delivery was the 3,711th, on May 16, 2018.Click here to download PDF for information on how to get a copy of your records sent.