— from Kathi Ciskowski —
An Orcas flashmob gather at the Village Green to honor Melinda Milligan, retiring midwife.
Melinda Milligan was peacefully enjoying a visit with her friend, Artha Kass (who knew what was about to transpire), at Enzo’s on Monday afternoon, when the conversation was genially interrupted by a group of singing islanders heading straight for their table. Tiny babes strapped to mothers chests, some of those mums also pushing strollers with an older child along too; women with grey hair poking out from under warm caps; a few grateful dads and well-wishers, were all being led into the building by Al Bentley and his saxophone playing “For She’s a Jolly Good Midwife.”
Melinda Milligan responds to well-wishing flashmob at Enzo’s on Monday.
At 3 pm these people had gathered, in spite of the cold, at the Village Green in order to “flash mob” Melinda in thanks for her years of midwifery service and in honor of her impending retirement from that aspect of her medical work. Organizers of the event, Laurie Gallo and Emily Birky, had managed to contact many of the women who had been the recipients of Melinda’s birthing services over many, years and, along with the singing and well wishes, a card and memorabilia were delivered to the table. A surprised Melinda had a chance to hug and visit with everyone, especially the children whom she had helped bring into the world.
As we mingled, Jenn Vollmer told me her story about the birth of her 8 year old son, Max. She said she will never forget how much Melinda empowered her after Jenn said something during the birth about “when you (Melinda) deliver the baby” and Melinda looked at her and said, “When YOU deliver Max.” It had a huge impact.
The general consensus among the mothers was that Melinda not only had remarkable skills but was a very “grounding” presence through this precious birth time. As one of those mothers (child now 28) I could only concur with those observations and add my own gratitude to Melinda for choosing Orcas Island as her home and midwifery as her profession. And finally…for another time, I have a really good story about us all flying off in a small plane on a dark and stormy night for that delivery!
SOOO SORRY I MISSED THIS!!!!! I must have been melting ice. Melinda was the ROCK for our Happy Birthdays! Thank you so MUCH!!! Did anyone ask her to perform her labor act?!!:)
An island treasure? An epic understatement.
In one way or another, Melinda Milligan has touched the lives of virtually everyone in our community, whether in her professional capacity as midwife (to the equivalent of a quarter of the population of Orcas Island); or as droll, dulcet-toned member of Olga Symphony; or as actor, and director, extraordinaire on the stage at the Grange or at Orcas Center.
Congratulations Melinda! You were an amazing midwife to our family, calm and competent practitioner, and above all else- an extraordinary woman! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Congratulations, Melinda! Melinda’s a superhero, and this island is better for it!
I was so sad to miss this. Melinda is a famed and revered person in our family. Even driving by her sweet log home on Crow Valley is always pointed out. She delivered all three of my babies, two of them before we even lived on Orcas. Moving to Orcas while I was pregnant with my third was made even more exciting because I knew she would again be my midwife. I have great memories of her asking my opinion on the fancy dresses from which she was trying to choose for her Olga Symphony performances, as all my babies were winter babies. I cannot thank her enough for her care, her expertise, and her advocacy and encouragement during birth. She is truly a shining star whom I will treasure always.
Congratulations Melinda, your such a blessing to our family. It’s almost 14 years now since I first met you and it’s a delight to see you every time❤️
We love you and have a blessed retirement
❤️❤️❤️Tim, Daphne and Satine❤️❤️
Wish I had known this was happening: what a perfect way to honor one of the brightest stars on Orcas Island. Melinda assisted at the birth of my son (36 years ago!), and I had the honor of assisting her at a delivery more than 20 years later. As midwife, singer and musician, or actress and director, she has been a stable, solid, passionate, and shining member of the Orcas community. Bravissimo to her, and well done to those of you who made this happen!!
Melinda, i’m so sorry i missed this! You were the best ever in every way as both a midwife and my well-woman person – I will miss your calm, confident, easygoing manner and gentle, capable hands and heart and your big beautiful smile. I look forward to seeing you enjoying your retirement and out and about doing all the things you love – acting, singing, playing music, and being your amazing gorgeous self; carry on and i know you’ll have fun and enjoy life to the fullest.