Note: I wrote this when my fifth child was an infant, and I came across it the other day. Mothers of large families often get criticism, and some people wonder how you spread your love among a number of children. An elderly neighbour once told me ‘babies always bring love with them’. Your children will not remember how hard you cleaned the floors or how many times you tidied the toys, but they will carry your love forever. The dishes are piling up in the sink and my son is annoying the cat, The state of my bathroom I hardly dare think and nothing much new in all that. For weeks I’ve been tardy with housework; no denying it, not even maybe I’m happily, blissfully, wonderfully taken up with enjoying my baby. Tomorrow will do for the washing The cobwebs will wait til next year Bother the muddle, I just want to cuddle For he grows ever faster, I fear. I have older ones, sure, and I love them I have been through all this before – But now that I know what I’m doing, I find I’m enjoying it more. There’s an elephant under the ironing A nose to be wiped at my knee, As one not-so-tall draws a frieze on my wall I try to plan something for tea. Who cares about dustpans and dinners, Blue loos, matching shoes and the rest? My sweet love affair with my infant Is causing the most interest. I am sure when I get to my heaven Dust and odd socks won’t lie round in heaps And my angel will ask the Father of Time To give me a baby for keeps! Carmel O’Brien 1982 Comments are closed.
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AuthorOriginal and individual reflections by Carmel O’Brien. Learn, laugh, enjoy. Categories
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