My nephew #2 was born two days ago. Seeing my sister pregnant after trying for so long was a big gift, not only for her, but for all our family who had seen her wait with a mix of patience and deep frustration for close to six years. Not four years ago, to even think of pregnancy used to almost repulse me: the weight, the slow walks and then the very idea of pro-creating seemed primal and pointless, at best. Then, my cousin, one of my favorite people on this planet had a little girl. Knowing that someone else on earth would have his blood and possibly his traits made me very excited. For the first time, I started to understand what is at the core of reproduction. That instinct of passing on your genes is quite powerful.
Two nights ago, I got a phone pic of my nephew. I was so excited I wanted to show the world, and I almost did 
! He is beautiful in the most angelical of ways; so much so I’m afraid of even looking at his picture too much I don’t want to break him. I can hardly describe the excitement and emotion that seeing him over the distance arises in me. It makes me wonder what I’d feel if I saw my own. I can almost touch his spirit through the screen and I know this little one’s got the Suriel signature.
The whole baby momentum made me think of a conversation I had this summer with an old friend in Santo Domingo. He sounded regretful that he’d had a son and was genuinely concerned that this child was going to inherit a tough, cruel world and he felt unfair by bringing him here. At the time I thought, and still do, that my friend was projecting. Who’s to say this world is no place for a baby and who are we to anticipate the state of affairs that that baby will find himself in as a grown up, as a result of his own decisions? Well, I personally am excited at what this world can offer my offspring (nieces and nephews counted) and at what they will contribute to it. I no longer think I would burden this earth by bringing one more child to it. Heck, the world can use some more of my suga’ round. Don’t you think?
Good work sister! And here’s for you angel, be blessed once and many times:
How easy it is to see the face of god when I see you
How easy to see my diluted genes through your sleeping eyes
How precious life is through your tiny nose
How one can love so much
Someone one’s never seen
Spirit’s not extinct
Our legacy lives on
By tuttysan © 2007
This is so cute. heartiest congratulations for your new bundle of joy.
I loved reading this post. I can so relate to your sentiments ‘cos I have felt the same, on four occasions – when my 4 nieces and nephews were born several years ago. I am still single but I do look forward to my own little magical ones someday.
A couple of months ago I wrote a small post in response to another blogger’s post on why women look forward to pregnancy in spite of the hardships it implies. You may read it here
I have quoted Gibran’s Children, which also beautifully touches upon the concern your friend had about bringing a baby into this bad, bad world.
Enjoy the magical feeling of love, Tuttysan!
For some reason, the link is not active here…I have published the link in the reply to your comment on my blog!
Children are a blessing in this crazy, hectic world.
Yours will be too if that is what you decide.
Congrats on the new additions to the family.
Your words are beautiful.
kim
Here’s the link to Life Longs for Itself: http://wordlywise.wordpress.com/2007/03/25/life-longs-for-itself/