Potential

There is so much hope, so much potential, in a sleeping baby's face. They lie there, their legs sprawled with abandon, kicking off blankets, arms wide like they're ready to hug the world. Their little mouths wide open, a teeny bit of sweet baby spit dribbling down one cheek. They twitch, and dream, and their tired eyes open a crack. They see you watching them, feel safe, and snuggle back down to sleep.

The thing is, even the assholes who are currently running rampant in New Orleans (and parts thereof) were once someone's sweet baby. It's really sad to see people turn into animals, when they were once potential for good. I realize that some people never have safe homes, never have parents who hold them gently and take good care of them. Those babies lie for hours alone, crying for no one to come to them. And they turn into mean (at the least) people. It breaks my heart. Seeing how good Maia & Sean are already becoming because they feel safe and protected and knowing that all it takes is some hard work (and damn yes, it is hard!).

As for my religion post of an earlier day, I believe basically that, for whatever reason (God, the force, whatever) we are put here on this planet to make it a better place. And I firmly believe that raising good kids, making them into good people, is one small step in that direction. I remember a smug co-worker, years ago, telling me that raising his kids was "the most important job in the world." I felt like that co-worker was invalidating everything in my life up till then merely because I had not yet had kids. I was a little put off. Now I see what he meant... but I don't want to make those who aren't part of my little "baby cult" feel bad.... your own life is as important as having babies, and you won't do a good job with said babies till you get your own life in order first.

Sitting on the floor pallet (yes, Robotnik, we have floor babies now too) with them, turning on Baby Einstein so they can learn to have receptive ears to multiple languages (phonemes, baby) seeing them turn their heads to follow mommy's progress about the room.... it's overwhelming sometimes. But in a good way. Sometimes you have to hand the baby to someone else, walk away, and just go lie on a bed staring blankly at the ceiling. But then you get up. You always get up, and move on, and they smile at you and turn their bright eyes your way. Potential. We have to live up to it in our kids.