Oh Baby

I'm writing this as the world awaits the birth of William and Kate's baby.
A couple of days ago, this video made the rounds of the internet.  In case the link does not work, it's a video of a baby boy, made by a very proud father--the video captures oneish seconds every day of the baby's life for the first year.  I watched it all, fascinated by the newborn growing to a toddler in about 9 minutes.  I was struck, as I watched it, by the wealth of experiences this child had in his first year--baths, cuddles, time with old people, young people, travel to exotic places (old castles and the beach), tasting of various foods, and so many toys and clothes!  [In the interest of full disclosure, this baby's life was much like the life of my firstborn...]  What a very fortunate child.
And I thought about how wonderful it would be if every child's life could be just like this child's life, at least for the first year.  If every child had enough food, enough love, enough life experience for their first year.  If every child had just one person who loved them so much that they would take time to document that life in such detail.  What a difference that could make!  
     And then I woke up this morning to hear that the Duchess of Cambridge is in hospital, ready to give birth. The whole world is watching (at least it seems that way), and are ready to wish this baby every possible happiness, and a very long life.  What if every child was welcomed into the world this way?  What if every child got even 1% of the attention that this royal baby will receive?

What a very different world we would live in.

I think some people fantasize about this, think that by taking away women's reproductive choices, that every child will magically be born with shouts of joy, will be surrounded by people who love them, and will never want for anything.  As a matter of fact, I know there are politicians and their supporters who do believe this,because they say they are "pro-life", but do nothing to help a child once it is born.  These people have some misguided notions, perhaps based on their own life experience, that once a child is born, it has everything it will ever need; how else can you explain their decisions to cut prenatal healthcare, Head Start, food stamps, education, and to pass bills that would repeal parental leave allowances, healthcare for all, and marriage equality (family is family, and kids need to know their families are important)?  How else can you explain their non-support for the DREAM Act?  The reality is much harder to imagine for most people; it's almost beyond our capacity to go to that dark place that some children are born in to, are raised in.  But we need to go to that place, to go beyond our comfort level, to that reality in order to properly dedicate ourselves to care, to do all we can.  To ensure that every baby is a wanted baby; not to just imagine it will be, but to ensure it will be.  We need to make sure that resources are dedicated to prenatal care, to birth control, to sex education, to education, to end poverty.

I wish...I wish that every child had a life like that royal baby.  In the meantime, I will do what I can to ensure that every child is a wanted child.

Will you?

Open Letter to Mother of Octuplets

Dear Ms. Suleman,
I read today, in USA Today, that you're having a bit of trouble finding financial support for your 14 children. According to the article, you lost your publicist and a book deal fell through. You might lose your house to foreclosure. Public opinion is even running against you by a hefty margin, according to a USA Today poll.
I know you're busy with the kids and all, but I suggest you take a moment to Google "pro life organizations" on your computer. Each and every one of these groups will be happy to help in any way they can. After all, they are "pro life", and have spent time picketing clinics to prove it. ProLife.com even invites you to e-mail your story to them, and what a story you have. I will even provide you with a list of my favorites as a place to start. National Right to Life--they might be out on the road, literally, with their obscene signs, but probably check their e-mails frequently. Or call the Eagle Forum and ask to speak to Phyllis Schlafly personally--she's probably working on her latest hate-filled column, but will be glad to take your call. She's "semi-retired", but has experience as a mother and a grandmother, so might even fly out just to give you a break. Another person you might want to contact directly is Randall Terry, leader of Operation Rescue. I'm not sure if he's out of jail, but certainly with all his organization skills, he can get the "troops" scheduled for all those round-the-clock feedings for the next 8 months or so. Then there's the American Life League and "Feminists for Life of America" (a misnomer if I ever heard one)--they'll probably want to sponsor a child.
Perhaps it would be best to move out of California; the state is broke, and while I'm certain all the pro-life citizens will all be mailing checks to you, the state cannot afford to pay any of your medical bills. I suggest you relocate to Alaska--I hear their governor is so pro-life, she's against abortion even in the case of rape.
If all else fails, and I don't believe for a minute that any "pro-life" citizen would let you down, but just in case--go to the nearest Catholic church (I suggest a bishop's home or a cardinal's residence) and tell them you're ready to move in. They will welcome you with open arms.