Today I had a moment. No, it was not just a moment, it was an epiphany of a moment. You know, like the epiphany of moments that probably resulted in J.K. Rowling visualizing the Harry Potter series while broke and on her way home on a train? Now I had a epiphany of a moment today which totally opened my eyes to exactly how I feel about kids.

My mom had my youngest brother when I was seven years old. To me, he was my first child. I fed him. I changed him. I gave him baths. I combed his hair. I punished him. I comforted him when he was hurt. I helped him with his homework. I chastised him out when he is rude. We have our movie nights. He is very protective of me. He is my baby! Sure I didn’t give birth to him but he is still mine.

I don’t know how or when it happened but somewhere along the way I grew scared of babies. I had mental panic attacks when I held them and so, couldn’t hold them for long. No matter how cute they were, I preferred them big. I hated the thought of giving birth and found myself vowing I would only have one unless I ended up with twins. I couldn’t imagine having anymore. If I was honest to myself, I would have realized in that moment that I was fine not giving birth to any. I only started making those vows because it was what persons expected me to say. They had no meaning behind them.

I held a baby today. She was the cutest little thing. As she was placed in my arms, I felt my heart stutter and then she started to holler! I was so frightened out of my life I almost dropped her! I looked at her helplessly for about a second wondering how in heavens such a small thing could have such a powerhouse of a voice and then, for the first time since my brother was a baby, I think my maternal instinct kicked in and I found myself talking little nonsense to her and rocking her gently. Eventually she stopped crying and peeped up at me as if to ask what the hell I was doing. I just kept at it until she started gurgling. She then grabbed my finger in her tiny fist and looked straight into my eyes, smiling, and I must say in that moment my world aligned. I felt like smiling! I felt like crying! I felt emotional! Holding her felt right!

While I’m not sure I want to have more than one child, I know I am no longer against the idea. While I may still be fearful of the idea of giving birth, I am no longer against going at least once. Babies are a gift and I look forward to doing all the little things with the one I hope God will bless me with. While I’m waiting, I’ll just ensure I love the ones that I come in contact with.

I am truly discovering me…

XOXO,
Chañel.

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