Monday, July 10, 2006

On Motherhood

I first thought I'd give this a fancy title, something that would appropriately reflect what I felt (and still do) on becoming a mother. I quickly gave up.

Labour is the most painful thing in the world. Period. But the result is worth it. Period.

The image of the first glimpse of my baby will be etched in my mind forever. I could conjure a corporeal patronus just by thinking about it.

Having a baby is the perfect example of disruptive change I can think of. Imagine, suddenly one day there is this new person, who is with you 24/7. Its like a whole new world that opens up. Your priorities come crashing down with a 2-tonne anvil attached. I have trouble waking up to an alarm clock clanging next to my ear, but if my son lets out as much as a whimper, I'm up and out of bed in a shot. Having newbie jitters? Of course I am!

I've noticed another thing. Motherhood is universally uniting, in a sense that now women - complete strangers but moms, presumably- come up to me and we talk about mommyhood like there's nothing else in this world. There probably isnt.