When I was young, I wanted to move to NYC become a writer and live with a beautiful white Persian cat. Then my sister died when I was 17, and I was left an only child.
My neighbors had large families and I was always envious. How fun to have siblings, when I had none anymore.
Like you, I didn’t really like babies. I was a stuffed animal girl, no dolls for me.
Then I met my husband. My sister in law had a beautiful boy, and suddenly i felt the most overwhelming desire to have a child. I never liked other people’s babies, but when my son was born, I finally knew the meaning of love.
3 daughters followed, and I have a beautiful family.
My parents and sister are dead, my ex and I divorced, but I have these children that have expanded my life so much. They’ve introduced me to new cultures, foods, experiences- they’ve helped me grow as a person.
After a recent surgery they surprised me with a trip to a beach house. My oldest daughter and I share a love for NYC and Broadway. At one point we were a musical duo. I shudder to think how small my life would be if I hadn’t had my children.
What is a stretch mark or scar? You’ll get them from other surgeries in life. You don’t know what the future has in store. Breasts will sag anyway, even without having a baby. Aging isn’t kind- gravity takes over.
Babies grow into children. Children grow into family.
I agree with Tanya’s beautiful room analogy. That’s what it’s like.