CHILLS AND SPILLS

I woke up at 5 with a jump start this morning. The bones in my body are gnawing in pain. I can feel the soreness in my throat which signals a suspension of all class activities. What good is a teacher without her voice?

My husband is fast asleep on the floor with my toddler. I remembered hearing him come in. He just got back from Indonesia last night . But it was all too far in the distant as my heavy head took over all consciousness. I was fast asleep until this chills took over...

I hate falling ill. Absolutely hate it! It makes me look like a complete klutz who's not much good for anything. It's past two in the afternoon and this head is slowly clearing especially as I start reading. The mailbox is full but the chain of mails from my high school girlfriends have occupied most of my thinking today.

There is that announcement of a baby who's probably on it's way february next year..a new addition to the brood of 11 children already shared between 8 girlfriends. These seven beautiful ladies have been my source of wisdom, inspiration, tears, fears and jubilance.

I'm thrilled..thrilled to welcome yet another newborn. You know how babies are. They are soft, softer than clouds of cotton candy. They smell good even when they've pooed. They coo, purr, grimace and shudder as they lay mostly asleep, most of the days until they become toddlers of course and then it's a different story.

I want to hold a baby for they are peace embodied in a bundle of wrap. They are hope held in diapers and bibs. They are the love and light of the proud parents who bore them into this often cruel and crazy world. For a few moments I want to hold peace and hope in my arms and feel it quiet my soul. So baby, Auntie awaits your wondrous entry with patience.

Then there's the tale of mommies who are at home, who wished to be home and who knows they can't stay home all of the time.

These are the mommies whose whispering hearts I hear. I want to see more such mommies. I want to hear more such stories. I want to write about them and talk to them. I pray I get the opportunity to do so..soon. God-willing. Amin.