Tomorrow is the baby shower my friends are holding for me. All my family lives out of town, so they sent gifts. My mother sent some that have personal significance and history, and so I called her and opened the gifts while on the phone.
The photo above represents some of what she sent. The white and gold blanket was used for my christening and my brother’s. The pale pink wisp of a slip was mine; I wore it as a toddler! She purchased the handmade layette from a friend decades ago, waiting for the day one of her children had a child. My siblings have not pursued parenthood, and neither had I for a long time; my parents were very cool about this. They never nagged their children about when one of us would provide a grandchild. But I know it was my mother’s hope. Purchasing the outfit and holding on to some childhood things was an expression of faith that someday, one of her children might take that path.
what wonderful gifts, kathryn!! that slip is adorable!
Of course your shower is tomorrow and your gift is still here, not boxed, not ready for the mail. You are about to embark on one of the most important journeys in life, and I can’t get to the post office.
I have a long and pained excuse involving juggling while wearing many hats, but the sad truth is that when I had time to pay attention to real people, I was obsessing over made up ones. Writers do not make the best friends.
But I love you and am with you in spirit. Enjoy your day and the attention. I mean it–really enjoy the attention because soon it will all be on that cute and amazing baby.
How touching. Yes faith, faith. Let it melt all the boundaries between you.