When I was seven or eight years old, my mother gave me a cloth-and-porcelain doll she’d loved as a girl. I loved that doll, despite the arm falling off at the seam. My mother sewed a new arm on her.
My doll was my baby. I put her in a doll crib at the foot of my bed. I changed her clothes. I rocked her to “sleep.” She “napped.”
At some point, I moved on and left her in my closet. She’s still there somewhere.
Almost nine months ago, my firstborn son was born. I admit that I did try every single newborn outfit on him within the first days, just because he was the most adorable baby I’d ever seen, better than any doll. But I love him. I rocked him to sleep, day and night.
Now that he’s squirming and crawling, he’s less doll-like. But he’s perfect, and caring for him is my life every day, 24 hours a day. Even when I get a break, I am thinking about him, worrying about him, loving him. I’m constantly writing things to him and about him, in my mind.
At some point in my life, I’ll probably go back to work. I may write a book: fiction, nonfiction, who knows at this point. When you turn to the About the Author page, you’ll probably see my picture with a description like this:
Rebecca Reid is the proud mother of — and the wife of —. She loves her family with all her life.
It won’t be unusual, though, because everything in the book, fiction or nonfiction, will relate to motherhood, family relationships, and the love of a mother for her child. That is my line now, but it is also my imagined happy ending.
True response to Write on Wednesdays: What is Your Line?, Write Anything: About the Author page, and Sunday Scribblings: Endings.
Rebecca, this is so lovely and heartfelt. Believe me, your son will give you plenty of material to write about over the years! Children enrich our spirits and our experiences in so many ways.
Thank you for sharing once again at Write on Wednesday!
I loved that you see your life not only as your inspiration, but as your happy ending. Thank you for sharing, and for visiting my own line.
Nothing more precious than a child – and certainly lots of subject matter for your writing! Children are mysterious and magical and watching them grow is a wondrous journey. Wishing you all the best experiences with your son!
What A powerful love that has blossomed into your muse. Lovely!
Hello, Rebecca — what a wonderful way to fall into a beautiful writing world! To write of our relationships is to share them with others and help them live long after any of the “original players” are gone. This is such an eloquent piece! Thanks for visiting my blog, too!
I remember being totally in love with my babies like that. It is a beautiful experience. How wonderful that you will have your blog entries to share with your son when he is older.
A beautiful post filled with the hopes and dreams of a young parent. Many blessings as you write about what will be an everchanging adventure.
Thank you all for your comments! I’m looking forward to my continuing adventure!
a picture perfect snapshot of you at this point in time.. enjoy the time you have a lone with your baby,, there will come a day you will look back and long for it i am sure…
Oh Rebecca your post is capivating, oozing with love and provoking memories of when my babies were so new. You’ve got it, I can’t wait to read more, you’re gorgeous 😉
A beautiful post – and I confess, I played dress up with my first born too. Now she’s 14… the time goes fast – enjoy each tidbit of inspiration!