Monday, July 10, 2006

Brooding silences

I was sitting in the waiting room at the chiropractor on Saturday, watching a woman with a baby. She was barely a toddler so I guess she must’ve been between a year and 18 months old. This was a beautiful child – fine blonde hair, blue eyes and a gorgeous smile. Alert, too. Everyone chuckled when the phone rang and she very seriously pointed to it while looking at the receptionist, as if to say, “You need to answer the phone, lady.”

It was all too cute and she was making those giggly, gurgly noises that cause women to go, “Aaah!”
Including me, as disinclined as I am to have kids of my own.

I must’ve been at a weak point, hormonally speaking, because I actually got broody for a moment. Since I was waiting for my appointment and had nothing better to do, I allowed myself to indulge in this feeling for a while and my mind wandered over to never-land, thinking what it might be like to have a soft, sweet child like that of my own.

My logical brain was trying very hard to stop these thoughts. I could almost hear it shouting, “No! You don’t want that!”

My biological clock - which I assume is what allowed this moment to happen in the first place - merely tick-tocked a little louder, drowning out that voice enough for me not to take any notice of it.

However… Moments later, the child fell over and banged herself on something – not hard, because I didn’t hear a thud – and all hell broke loose. That little bundle of joy took a deep breath, then another and then another, until I thought she might pop if she didn’t let some of it out. And then she cried – nay, she screamed; that sobbing, piercing scream that only babies seem able to accomplish.

Moment over, biological clock silenced in an instant as I remembered why I don’t have children, hehe! Thanks, but no thanks, I’m quite happy with my sanity and my hearing (almost) intact!

9 comments:

Fence said...

:) I like children. They are cute and often easy to please.

But I don't want any of my own. Far too much work and responsibility and, well, hassle. Besides everyone says the world is overpopulated as it is don't they?

Bosbefok said...

But you have Cinderella to look after (or who looks after you..).
The smaller, cuddly , dribbly,smelly versions that are sleep deprivation artists are still cute sometimes......
Or can we have a puppy ?? PleeeeeeeeZe ? :-) Hahaha....-

Linda said...

Get a cute lil fuzzy puppy or wait for grandkids. :)

Terri said...

Spookie - don't hold your breath, hehe!

Fence - Plus there's the whole sleep-deprivation and dirty nappy thing. Nah.

Bosbefok - No. And buying puppy food is not going to make me change my mind.

Beads - See, now that's what I'm talking about. The grandkids part. That way I can coo-che-coo them and then give them back to their parents. The way it should be ;-)

Framesby 86 said...

for a moment I thought, yes Terri go girl and then reality set in.... I like the grandkids idea!! Puppies are more work than "The smaller, cuddly , dribbly,smelly versions that are sleep deprivation artists" believe you me!!! At least you can slap a nappy on to a baby....

AngelConradie said...

the "ahaaa!" moment- the very instant when the biological clock's hands jump right off its face and the springs start bouncing off the walls with cartoon-like boi-oi-oi-oi-oi-nnnnng sounds!

DelBoy said...

Wait till you meet baby Josh. You'll definitely start cooing again!

Terri said...

Buddess - I've managed to reach the ripe old age of 34 without ever changing a nappy. I don't intend starting now, lol!

Angel - Ja that one. Not my idea of fun.

Delboy - That's entirely possible; we'll have to test that theory soon. I should warn you though, babies tend to cry a lot when they look at me. I must look scary or something.
Puppies like me though! ;-)

-Ann said...

My retired friends all tell me that grandchildren are the best - all of the fun and benefits, none of the responsibility and hassle. Unfortunately, the only feasible route to grandparenthood involves having your own children first.

I find that I'm having broody moments more often. I really enjoyed your post about it. (Unfortunately, my broody moments also end in tears, except that they are my own!)