Recently I watched an eleven-month-old take his first steps. We watched with delight as his little legs haltingly took him on this short journey to the safety of his mother’s arms. Then, encouraged by our obvious delight in this milestone, he practised the art of walking in the light of support and love that surrounded him. In a matter of a few short weeks, he is zooming around carrying a book or toy, making sharp turns, and squealing with delight as we clap our hands. He even joins in the congratulatory applause with a huge smile on his face. Yes, there are times when it is painful to realize that the floor is coming up too quickly to meet his bottom! He gets up again with persistence and enthusiastically carries on. Who knows where those little legs will take him? But he is sure to give them some adventures as family and friends assure him in many ways of their love and support.

Last evening I visited someone in the hospital. Twenty years after first experiencing pain in her knee, she had a new experience. Thirty hours after going in to knee replacement surgery, she haltingly (and with some pain) shuffled  from her bed to a nearby armchair. Manoeuvering that new knee and landing safely on the chair was a huge milestone! Staff and family alike congratulated her on her persistence and real success. She chose to stay in the chair for a whole hour, and again amid congratulatory overtures, made her new knee take her back to the safety and comfort of her bed. She is learning about the valuable assist of a walker and the invaluable aid of a circulating pump cold pack to control pain and swelling in the surgery site. The cards, flowers and gifts in the room are a silent testament to the support she is receiving. And she can count on and bask in the love and encouragement that will continue to surround her as she takes that new knee on who-knows-what adventures.

When we receive notes and calls of gratitude at the Serena office, I see much the same pattern. Couples may venture haltingly into the practice of Natural Family Planning, but as they gain confidence and their expertise grows in interpreting the wonder of the woman’s cycle, enthusiasm and joy become the standard. Accredited Serena teacher couples may have taken counselling calls, the couple may even have come back for a refresher class, but the result is unmistakable. Practicing the Sympto-Thermal Method as taught by Serena with all the support and resources that a couple needs brings confident, loving relationships. For your “First Steps” down this road of adventure in effective family planning decisions, contact us at 783-0091, 866-317-5362, or at mbserena@gmail.com.