We often ask ourselves the ever-popular question, "what is the meaning of life?" But, as I stared into the face of my little newborn nephew earlier today, a torrent of emotions and thoughts ran through me. It was quite a moving experience. What sorrows will he have to experience, what joys shall he delight in?
I thought of myself and all people as once having been that small and innocent and vulnerable, and how much one has to change in order to strengthen oneself against the many troubles that come along in life.
Childhood, as my mother so wisely says, is like placing two supports on the sides of a sapling, in order for it to grow healthy and firmly. Children need a good, solid foundation in order to be good, responsible adults. Without a proper foundation to a building, it shall deteriorate and crumble, as will the life of human.
We none of us know what our lives will be like. Things change so quickly at times, and ever so slowly at other times. Time is the most important thing in life. I say this because there are some of us who spend their fleeting youth engaged in meaningless encounters and moments of excitement without fully understanding or appreciating the "big picture."
My brother-in-law today told me that he has never been so fulfilled as he is now with his family and his life. I hardly ever hear that because of the mass apathy that plagues our societies. Many people are in a constant state of confusion and tend to avoid planning for the future out of intense fear of it. I am proud that my sister has this wonderful man in her life. He is very hard-working, devoted and loving to her and the children, and is supportive enough to let her pursue her own interests. But he also takes care of the practical- my sister wants for nothing.
Nevertheless,I hope I'll be able to see my nephew grow up, and thus see him become a man. I'll admit that as I held him in my arms, that primal yearning to be a mother arose within me (it's only natural!). Realistically, however, I know that I am still too young for such an important and life-changing event such as that, though I know I am far more able than many a modern mother. I also would not want to be a single mother - which is a horrible state for a woman to be in; and thus, would only actively try to have children if married (as my sisters have done)for that is the best way to do things.
Ultimately, I know not whether I will have any children, but I can at least try to be a great aunt for the time being to all seven of my sisters' children.
lalalie84
Have you ever seen the television program, "The Baby Borrowers?" It's an excellent program for teenagers who are in the whips of a glorious relationship (although they have only been dating for a couple of months) and want to rush into settling down & having a family. NBC actually took five of those couples into a cul-de-sac home area, where they are forced to witness the reality of having a real family. They have to pay the bills, so they have to work. In addition - five ADULT couples will come into their lives and give them their children to care for. So far, they have only taken care of a newborn baby for 3 days. Don't worry - they were supervised by professional nannies and they were also monitored via cameras by the parents, and they could step in any time they felt like they had to.
But once those 3 days are over, they have to take care of toddlers and their siblings. Then, they have to take care of pre-teens, then teenagers, then the elderly. It is really an eye-opening show, and it shows the foundation that you speak of. I can see how some of those couples would make great parents, while others really need to slow down & focus on what needs to be done first in their relationship. You can also see the strain of having children, and how it affects their relationships. THREE of the five couples are on a verge of a breakdown! And people wonder why I don't want any kids...