Honouring the Courage of Newborns

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motherofnine9

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Recently a daily writing prompt asked writers to submit an article about someone who deserves to be commemorated.

When I read this daily prompt, the first person to pop into my head was my five-week old old granddaughter, not some famous person who has accomplished great deeds. What I find most startling about this little person, called Lila, is this look of utter surprise as she surveys the world. When Lila, turned at the sound of my voice and looked at me for the first time, her eyes widen suddenly in recognition. It was if she thought, “Ah, so this is what you look like. I remember your voice.”

She remembered the sound of my voice from when she was in the womb and at 6 hours old, finally put a face to that voice. Lila has been thrust out from the safety and security of the womb into a huge, cold world with bright lights and loud abrasive sounds. She is wise, an old soul who connects with my spirit when we look at each other. It would be an unnerving experience if it were not so profoundly sweet.The words of C.S. Lewis reverberate within me:

“You do not have a soul. You ARE a soul. You have a body.”

This giant soul now inhabits a tiny, helpless body that is completely dependent on adults to decipher her wants and needs because she is pre-verbal. All she can do is hope that her parents learn her voice, facial and body signals and become baby whisperers. She is at the mercy of their intelligence, love and patience.

Lila is a person, albeit a little person with personality and preferences, not a cute object. She deserves to be treated with respect just as her parents will expect mutual respect from her at a very early age.

So I salute this brave soul.In fact, I salute all infants and invalids alike for bravery in the face of powerlessness.
 
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