Shots

This would have been a very different post a year and a half ago.

Today the babe had her second series of vaccinations. Ugh. What unique torture to soothe your infant while she gets poked by needles. My eyes filled with tears when I laid her down and began whispering in her ear.  I had been distracting myself from this inevitability all day. The psychological burden was doubtlessly increased by my foreknowledge.  I knew I was bound to become hysterical. I was hoping super-mommy might come to my emotional rescue. Even though she definitely inhabits a cozy space in my sub-conscience, I don't know how to summon her. Fortunately for all of us the babe does.

Once she started to cry, it was mom-power that stopped my tears. It is the same phantom energy that flowed through my fatigued limbs during three months of colic. It's the source of the spooky strength that helps mommies throw cars off their babies. It isn't that my feelings stopped. It was like a spotlight that had been shining on my guilty feelings was now being swung in the direction of the one who really needed the attention.  My mind set itself to the task of comforting her. I couldn't be selfish when my baby needed me.

Once again, I am amazed by mothers. How can something so powerful awaken in women every day?

And the babe snoozes peacefully...