I never wanted to be a mother.
At twenty-nine years old, I wasn’t the kind of woman anyone would call maternal. I didn’t coo over babies or rub pregnant women’s bellies hoping I’d be next. I wasn’t the friend anyone called to babysit their children – not even for a quick trip to the store. And I certainly wasn’t the one who volunteered to change a diaper.
I liked after work cocktails, late night parties, and sleeping til noon. I liked getting up to go whenever I pleased, eating a hot meal when I was hungry and only cooking for special occasions. Because most nights, “cooking” dinner consisted of a ham sandwich and maybe some chips.
When my husband Joseph and I first moved in together, everyone asked when we would get married. When we got married, everyone asked when we would have a kid. “When are you going to have a baby?” I’d cringe and change the subject. I am certain at some point I was the topic of conversation around someone’s Thanksgiving table. “She probably can’t have kids.” I bet they whispered between bites of turkey and arroz con gandules. Because obviously, the inability to have children was the only reason why a woman wouldn’t have one.
I was juggling a full time job while taking college classes at night. I was reading and writing and had little time for anything else. I had the next few years of my life mapped out. And being a mother wasn’t part of my plan.
Then I got pregnant. During those first few months, I wondered how being a mother was going to change my life. And I felt a bit of resentment. I was scared. I worried about what kind of mother I would be because what kind of mother resents being a mother.
I think even my mother worried. I was at a family BBQ and my mother was holding someone’s newborn baby. “Here,” she said trying to thrust the baby into my arms, “practice holding a baby.” I shook my head and folded my arms tightly over my belly. “I am not practicing on anyone’s baby but my own.”
I was five months pregnant and still wanted nothing to do with babies.
The week I turned 30 years old, I found out I was having a boy. And it became real. I registered for baby things, began buying clothes and toys.
Shopping for baby was easy and fun. It was everything else that still worried me.
The first time I held Norrin in my arms, every fear faded away. Nothing else mattered. My life now revolved around another human being. I was okay with it. It was comforting.
By the time I was pregnant again, I had settled into my role as a mother. I was still balancing a full-time job and taking college courses at night. I was still reading and writing. And while my life plan had been altered, I still had a plan. This one included children.
In my 16th week OB-GYN visit, I was told the baby had died. A “missed miscarriage,” they called it.
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The weeks that followed were the darkest and loneliest of my life.It was Norrin who helped me through my depression.
All I wanted to do was stay in bed and cry. But he was only four years old, he needed me. And I needed him.
My loss made me realize how much motherhood meant to me.
The thing I never wanted to be, became one of the things that defined me.
Being a mother changed my life in every possible way. And it has been a blessing. Motherhood has brought me a joy I never knew could be possible.
Ten years ago, I had no desire to be a mother. Now I couldn’t imagine my life without being one.
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Shell says
I'm so glad you had Norrin to help you through. xo
I remember talking to a coworker about a trip I wanted to take- it was to a remote spa somewhere in the middle of Montana and she laughed and said "Don't have kids anytime soon." About 2 weeks later, I found out I was pregnant and I replayed what my friend said, going into a panic. But really, I couldn't imagine life without my boys.
Twingle Mommy says
I lost two babies after my daughter was born and I was amazed at how she helped me get through it. Like you all I wanted to do is cry but I couldn't since my daughter needed me.
Ruby Wright says
I felt the same. My life was planned around my success and I was such a creature of habit. I'm with you tho I can't imagine my life even after a loss I felt the darkness and was eager to continue to be a mother. Thanks you for sharing!
Betty Galvan says
I will never forget that I once completely missed a new born baby in the room! Everyone must have thought I was a monster! I didn't think it was for me, until it happened. 3 boys later and I still can't decide if my family is complete. Can you believe that??? Thanks so much for sharing… love all your work. xoxo