4th April 2010 , Posted by Jaime Teo

What’s Your Answer?

I have to admit that for the longest time, I had no satisfactory answer to this question: “Why have babies when the world is depleting in resources / is in chaos / is coming to an end / <insert any doomsday scenario to world or self>”.

Also, how does it come about, that the only prerequisite for one of the most important positions in the world is physical ability? No need for tests or qualifications which may I add is a sight unfair especially in Singapore where the paper chase is deemed all important to get anywhere in life. In fact, even applying for the position of a service staff requires one to have a pass in some English proficiency test. Where’s the rationale?

So in the time of being pregnant, I’ve had plenty of time to think about those questions.

Sometimes, I come across a quote and nod my head in approval. This one for example : “A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.” But then I think again – isn’t procreation the force that drives every other creature? There must be more to it than nature’s driving force for us free willed humans.

Just had to share this picture – God’s opinion reminded me of angels and this is one adorable angel!

Oh oh , and this is another that I hear a lot of: “Babies are miracles of life.”, or “The miracle of a newborn”.  Hm….. Honestly, these words did not really sink in until I felt a being kicking inside of me. I mean, the fact that your body can create another body inside your body is (“all together now”) a miracle! I’ll profess to feeling a little smug about being able to make a baby although it is purely down to biology so I’m not sure what I’m feeling smug about. Maybe that’s why the miracle answer didn’t quite work for me. I mean, what if I don’t want I’m not ready for this miracle, right?

Oh, oh, but I thought it miraculous we could clearly count Renee’s fingers and toes at 21weeks =)

I casually asked Dan the question a few weeks back. (Side note : Should I be alarmed that we didn’t discuss these important life questions before the fact? But there always seem other things to talk about like what’s for dinner or where to go…. Better late than never, right? )

He paused to think for a bit and then said: “We have babies because God wants to give us the joy of being parents.  As for the baby, hm… the joy of being loved by parents.”

Do you have moments when you look at someone in a new (and brighter) light? I think that moment was then for me.

Often I think we hear about how it’s give, give, give on the part of parents and I we forget a child’s presence is in itself a gift to us too. They give us the gift of innocence, of looking at the world thru new eyes and of new discoveries.  Plus in one swell sweep, that answer also gave me an insight as to why training and proficiency tests aren’t important. All babies need, is love (and also to be kept dry. That is the official answer from my gynae when I asked what I needed for Renee’s arrival.) Besides, I’m quite sure there isn’t an institution that teaches or grades that particular subject.

So there – my heart is at peace cos I’ve found my answer =) What’s yours?