I Collected Things for the Babies I Never Had.

“You’ll be thinking about all this one day when you have your own babies.’

My spine stiffened when I heard a woman speak the dreaded phrase to my eighteen-year-old niece last week. I should have added, ‘If she has children.’ But I said nothing. Years of conditioning has silenced me.

During those years, I collected sets of Tupperware containers, Corningware dishes, dinner sets and linen so I would be prepared to fulfil my matrimonial duties someday. What is even more unsettling, is that I purchased toys and tooth fairy pillows for the children I never ended up having.

I was taught how to sew things for my babies in High School Textiles. A subject I’m not even sure exists today. I was flooded with pride as I spent several weeks making a bunny baby cot quilt featuring a thick white frill around the edge. I also imagined holding and dressing my baby as I carefully fed pale pink dress fabric into the sewing machine. Being a girly girl myself, I never considered having boys. The whole process of collecting and planning evoked attachments to a time that seemed far away. Connecting me to babies I never birthed.

May every woman know they are loved and worthy, regardless of whether or not they become a wife or mother. I believe in connecting through aligned energy and humanness, rather than any outdated title or role.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. If you want to hear more from me, please like my ‘Lisa Benson Author’ page on Facebook or follow me (lisabensonauthor) on Instagram.

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