Never underestimate the kindness of a smile or a friendly word from a stranger.
Joining the queue at the supermarket this morning, I was greeted by a chubby little new-born baby face gurgling over his mother’s shoulder at me (if it is not pregnant women taunting me with their bellies, it is babies themselves!).
Ever the Enneatype 4, a familiar envy flared as I studied the mother: imagining what it would be like to be her; what she would be feeling; what the rest of her day would be like, nuzzling babe to her breast & cooing as he sleeps. And that’s when I realised something peculiar – the object of my desire was her, the mother, not the baby! A hint that maybe this anguish I am feeling has less to do with the absence of baby & more to do with the absence of motherhood perhaps? At first glance, they seem to be one & the same but now I’m not so sure.
The mother wandered off briefly & returned with a bottle of water. “Do you mind?” she smiled, motioning to reclaim her place in the line. “Of course not!” I replied, grateful for the opportunity to generate good karma – I need all I can get. A few moments later, items processed & paid for, she turned to me & said “Have a good day!”, flashing me a big smile. My heart grew wings.
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