To bear a child, to a bear a soul, that is a gift. This tiny human coming into the world is now the sole purpose of your life. I used to find comfort in that thought, wrapping it around myself warm and snug like a blanket.
But, times are changing. The storms are getting stronger. The oceans are boiling with rage. Mother Nature cries for help and we turn the other cheek. Injustice reeks throughout the planet. Why would I want to bring another life into this mess we call life? It would be selfish, to send the light of my life into such cruel ruins.
Yet again, I catch myself fantasizing whether my child would have my nose. Would they have my laughter? Who knows. I would rather keep these sweet thoughts a mystery. Because even if they have my eyes or my smile, they will still experience the turmoil of life. And I can’t bear to be the one who invites them in.
Forever my children will live in my head. A cottage somewhere with blooming flowers sprouting from the ground is where they lay in the grass. They spend their days climbing the cherry tree and rolling down hills. Their happiness is infinite. I won’t take that away from them. Forever young; forever safe.