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This post is dedicated to children, and the special kind of love they bring. Never let it be said that there aren't times in your life when a 5 yr old suffices for your best friend. At age 20, I decided that living at home was no longer an option I was willing to consider for my adult life. I made sure I had a summer internship in Philly that required me to live in the city during my summer break from college. Before I found an apartment in center city, I moved in with family of family friends - people who's relatives we were good friends with, but who were otherwise strangers. I'd never met them before showing up on their doorstep with all my clothes and dorm crap jammed into the back seat. They were wonderful to me and treated me like their lost fifth child (they already had four kids, ages 5-14) during the two weeks I lived with them. But I was still scared and lonely. Oh was I ever scared and lonely. And little Orestes, the 5 yr old and baby of the family, became my best friend. Every day when I came home from my internship he'd be waiting for me at the door. He'd run and give me a big hug and ask me all about my day or he'd ask if I wanted to play legos or read books. His view of our relationship was just so genuine and innocent. Of course Becca wanted to play legos. Of course Becca wanted to read books. And for those two weeks, I genuinely did.
Here are photos of me holding my niece Lily when she was a baby and posing with her older sister, my niece Abbie. I can't wait to be a mom. Actually, I can wait, but not for too long. When I graduated high school, I was so focused on finding a suitable mate in college to settle down with and starting popping them out. I told everyone I didn't want a career if it was going to compromise my ability to build a strong marriage and family. My views have changed considerably since then. I realize now I am in no way responsible enough to start having kids and that there are lots of things I would like to do before having them. Still, it ranks really high on my list of life priorities. I don't think women should be expected to want and/or have children. But I don't think they should be thought less of for embracing motherhood as the defining endeavor of their life, either. My mother wasn't fortunate enough to be present in my life past age 6. I hope that I am luckier and I hope that motherhood isn't a disappointment. I hope it's everything I imagine it to be and more. I hope that I'll be a really good mom. I want that kind of love in my life so badly.
Finally, some great quotes from kids on love and relationships. My favorites: "Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings." Oh can I relate to that one. And, advice on how to make someone fall in love with you "Tell them you own a bunch of candy stores." (Del, age 6) Damn. I always fall for that one.
When all is said and done, children are a blessing. That's all there is to it.
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