Where is the Joy?

My young, smart, extremely organized, efficient, go-in-and-get-it-done sister in law had her baby today. I am very excited for her and her new daughter who weighed a nice seven pounds. However, poor M's labor was not what you would hope for a second baby. She labored for over 24 hours. I thought that the second one is supposed to be quicker than the first one?! She got to the hospital 'early' so that she wouldn't deliver in the car on the way over. She needn't have rushed, as she was only a dis-heartening 2cm. Finally by 4 am she was complete and by 7, baby girl was out. But, M had some tears including a painful urethral one. After all that work and effort, all the pain and stitching, M had to ask: I don't feel the joy like with my first baby. Where is the joy?
It is tough when you do not have the labor you hoped for. It is even tougher when you did have it the last time, but not this time. Maybe that is just part of th e pain of labor, that you frequently hoped or wished the experience went better than it did. And it is not from lack of knowledge. Most women really learn about having a baby, the stages of labor and everything. And there are pain control options which complicate everything. Maybe there is just too many variables that can go wrong. It is a miracle any of us got here. Maybe the true miracle is a birth experience that can be enjoyed and remembered fondly. It is time now to thank your mom!