For millennials who share a vaguely similar worldview to my own, there is an implicit question that lies underneath any pregnancy announcement. It’s not always spoken, but heavily implied: How can you bring another life into all this?
Thank you so much Rosie. Your words made me cry this morning and helped center me in the beauty of human suffering. I've grown convinced the only way to truly understand human life is to understand human suffering, and your piece (and work more broadly) helps me gain deeper insights into the wonderful and soul-expanding catastrophes of being alive.
I really loved reading this post. My first child was born at 28 weeks and I had no clue what to do with him. Never in my wildest dreams had I expected to embark on the journey I went on with this child of mine. He finally came home a few weeks before his due date. We both learned over the years who we were and where life was going to take us. Ultimately I think he surprised everyone and was amazingly successful in life. But those early years were so very difficult, not knowing what life held in store for him. I have never been able to shake that sense of possible impending doom that I felt when he was born at 2 lbs 6 1/2 ozs, both lungs collapsed, with multiple brain bleeds. The sense of betrayal by life was immense. I believe I still have PTSD from the experience and am hypervigilant about possible surprises waiting around the corner.
The picture is an inspired choice. Do wind and sand long for each other? I still have my black hardback (no paperback of it then) copy of The Prophet I got in 1973. Because everyone else had one. It played tunes like the Pied Piper. Life...longing? Didn't get it, so it plays on till sometime I do.
You have stirred emotions in more ways than I am willing to disclose in a public comments section. :)
Jokes aside, thank you.
I am glad that your expectations were exceeded in those turbulent early days of parenthood.
Being a parent in the climate crisis times (within the climate crisis!?) is a topic that interests me deeply. I resonated with so many of the conflicting thoughts you mentioned.
There is a beautiful piece by Hannah Close here on Substack on this subject:
Thank you so much Rosie. Your words made me cry this morning and helped center me in the beauty of human suffering. I've grown convinced the only way to truly understand human life is to understand human suffering, and your piece (and work more broadly) helps me gain deeper insights into the wonderful and soul-expanding catastrophes of being alive.
That's such a lovely comment Jon, thank you.
A very thoughtful piece which resonated with me as I ponder what life holds for my four month old granddaughter.
Thank you Fiona <3
This spoke to me so deeply. Thank you.
I really loved reading this post. My first child was born at 28 weeks and I had no clue what to do with him. Never in my wildest dreams had I expected to embark on the journey I went on with this child of mine. He finally came home a few weeks before his due date. We both learned over the years who we were and where life was going to take us. Ultimately I think he surprised everyone and was amazingly successful in life. But those early years were so very difficult, not knowing what life held in store for him. I have never been able to shake that sense of possible impending doom that I felt when he was born at 2 lbs 6 1/2 ozs, both lungs collapsed, with multiple brain bleeds. The sense of betrayal by life was immense. I believe I still have PTSD from the experience and am hypervigilant about possible surprises waiting around the corner.
Thank you for sharing Janis! I carry the trauma with me still too. I think I always will. Sending love.
The picture is an inspired choice. Do wind and sand long for each other? I still have my black hardback (no paperback of it then) copy of The Prophet I got in 1973. Because everyone else had one. It played tunes like the Pied Piper. Life...longing? Didn't get it, so it plays on till sometime I do.
You have stirred emotions in more ways than I am willing to disclose in a public comments section. :)
Jokes aside, thank you.
I am glad that your expectations were exceeded in those turbulent early days of parenthood.
Being a parent in the climate crisis times (within the climate crisis!?) is a topic that interests me deeply. I resonated with so many of the conflicting thoughts you mentioned.
There is a beautiful piece by Hannah Close here on Substack on this subject:
https://hannahlclose.substack.com/p/lives-never-lived