A Mother Knows

It just took one look, and I knew. I knew the wisdom of the ages was stored in his mind. Within a moment, I knew he was smart, clever, and kind. Everyone would get lost in those almond-shaped chestnut eyes.

I had just met him, though he'd been with me for nine months. I'll never forget the light streaming through the maternity ward windows when I looked down into the bassinet and he looked up at me, eyes wide open, filled with wonder and within that minute, I was afraid.

I'd never felt fear like this before.

I picked him up and knew that I held the future in my hands. The future of friends he would meet and make, the future of teachers, family, and hearts that would break.

I knew that he was meant to do great things. That he had and would change not only my life but the world.

He smiled and within that smile, he held the fate of so many. So much responsibility for one so small, and unaware. Happy, warm, and content in my arms, fresh from whatever God or Heaven had created his spirit, his intelligence all bundled up in this nursery blanket.

I held his hand and swayed side to side, gently rocking him in my arms. It was a sway that would never entirely go away. I still do that sway to this day, three children and twenty-five years later, that sway, the wonder, and the knowing, are here to stay.