What is it about babies that brings out the best in each of us? Is it the fact they are Tabula Rosa, the proverbial blank slate, unblemished and pure? Is it that they accept what it is we each seek in life, comfort and unconditional love? Or is it simply that they represent life?
My daughters best friend, Jackie Morrow, came to visit me at the cottage on Ocean Isle Beach last night with her four week old infant and the baby's father, Rob. Erin had flown east to see Jackie and the new baby last week, and along with lifelong girlfriends, embraced Jackie as a new mom and met the new baby that will be a part of their lives from now on. Cool. I was flooded by a sense of awe seeing Jackie, whom I remember as a timid and kind little girl, transformed into a nurturning young mother, lovingly holding her infant in her arms, attentive and easy going, as only a young mother can be. Wow. What a powerful experience!
This is such a special treat for me, and I feel honored that this young couple would choose to spend time here so that I can enjoy them and their energy. I know the beach itself is the major drawing factor here, but heh, I get to enjoy them and the baby! It is refreshing to spend time with young people, and good for me, as it draws me out of my own world, brings about a sense of reality rather than me continued search for what ever it is that alludes me in life, and allows me the opportunity to remember some other aspects of life, aspects which many passing years and emotional experiences have dulled.
They are a passionate young couple, passionate about each other, the baby, and what they do. Invigorating in their search to accomplish that which they like, their conversations draw me in. Rob graduated from his Massage Therapy training program this past Sunday, and as a hobby, makes jewlery from rocks and leather - which he knots from leather strips - Cool. His face lights up as he talks about his dreams, his dreams of opening his own massage business, focusing in the body. He likes the descriptive term Soma, and wants to incorporate it into his business name. Maybe Soma Massage? He could market his jewelry, especially in conjunction with his stone massages. Soma Stones? Definitely, keep your eyes open for this young man - he is going somewhere. You can feel it in his energy.
I invited Jackie and Rob to go to the beach and leave the baby with me so they could have some personal time, relax and unwind. I remember my youth when a few private moments meant so very much, and it is wonderful that they were able to take advantage of this opportunity. Even more incredible, is how I feel holding this tiny infant, a little more than a day or two over four weeks old, premie, so barely 6 pounds now - and precious. Life. I feel like I am holding life and the future in my hands.
It is only natural that my mind would wander back to the days when I had small babies, my hopes for them, for the world they would enter. Sometimes, life confuses us - frequently - by throwing things that are unrelated to real existence into our path. I am lucky....I am holding real life right here, right now, on my lap. And I remember....after all of this time, it has come back to me. My own vision of working towards making the world a better, safer place for my own children to inherit. The idea of leaving a legacy of a world worth inheriting. What happened? Our world has turned to crap, our food sources are poisoned, our government corrupt not for the people but for money, the ozone layer depleted, and war rages.
What happened? Did I drop the ball? Become self-absorbed? I think, perhaps, that is food for thought - for many of my generation today are worried more about our own self preservation rather than our world as a whole. I suppose that is one reason why I am glad that WeEarth exists - the social and global awareness this site promotes is in concert with the peace, love, and harmony of my generations intial goals and dreams. We simply dropped the ball. I am so glad your generation picked it up.