New year, new...

The new year has arrived with a new addition to the family. My nephew is a lovely, sweet baby and will probably be a welcome addition for his 5 year-old sister's world once she gets over the trauma of not being the centre of everyone's attention. I forgot what it's like having a newborn in the family--being careful how you handle them; the soft, soft texture of their skin; their slightly unfocused stares; the moments of gas-release often mistaken for early smiles (:oP); their parent's snappy moments brought on by lack of sleep; my decision not to have any children anytime soon, even though I am already 30.

I love these new additions to the family, but have no desire to produce my own. Seeing these children grow is a delight--I love them and can't imagine our lives without them, but my time with them reinforces the knowledge that I do not have the patience or willingness to include any little people into my life at this point in time. If somewhere down the line I do start to feel broody and find that I am unable to reproduce my own, I will find a way to live with my decisions (IVF is not an option--how many people know what the longterm results are of being pumped full of fertility drugs?). But for now, I am perfectly happy being the crazy aunt watching these little seedlings grow big and strong. That, in itself is a priviledge.

_________

The new year came and went and it never occurred to me to make any resolutions. When I was younger and became aware that people in this country made resolutions at the beginning of each year, I thought it was a good idea to promise to improve your character/behaviour. Nowadays, I don't bother making any resolutions because I find they are a waste of my time and energy--I know I won't make an effort to do anything, so why bother? I will change what needs to be changed when it needs to be changed. The only promise I make to myself is that I enter the new year c l e a n.

_________

I've been paying attention to couples in the last few months of 2006 and the early weeks of 2007 and wonder why some women tolerate men who are nothing more than over-grown children? I haven't been in a relationship in more years than I care to admit in a public forum, but the idea of having to cater to the needs of a man who sees me as his surrogate mother is such a turn-off. I already have child-cousins and a niece and nephew in my life, why would I want a grown man who behaves like a child crowding my space?

(c)