Motherhood & Words

Last week was a sad week. A friend (the sister of very close friends of ours) died after struggling with depression and bi-polar disease for almost 20 years. Her son is ten years old, and every time I think of him, I get teary. Every time I think of her family and their pain, I get teary. And yesterday, as I was going through baby clothes, trying to get organized, I found the itsy bitsy teensy weensy sweater that this friend knit for Stella four years ago, and I got all teary.

I am no stranger to depression. I understand that kind of desperation, and it scares me. Before we had Stella, I used to worry about it all the time. I worried that with depression on my side of the family and schizophrenia on D.’s side, we would be mixing a dangerous gene cocktail for our children. But I guess my wish for children was stronger than my fear, because eventually we decided to go ahead and try.

Over the last few years, more general parental worries have filled my mind, and though I didn’t forget about the depression and mental illness—its power—I was somehow able to put it on the back burner. Not this week. All week, I held Stella too long, squeezed her too tightly, checked on her too often as she slept, just wanting to keep her safe.

By Friday afternoon, after the very sad funeral, I was exhausted. I wished I had had a little energy left to celebrate my 35 weeks of pregnancy or the fact that I am alive—that 16 years ago depression did not kill me (though it almost did)—but I was too tired. So, I slept and I ate and D. and I brought up the changing table from the basement and washed baby clothes and cleaned the house and bought diapers and wipes and began to prepare for something joyful: a new baby.

After all the worry of this pregnancy, it seems crazy that I’m actually going to have a baby. I’m still careful. I still don’t want to get too excited, but I’m letting go of the worry, just a little, because I need that happiness, and I’m tired of being scared.

I know that there will always be something about which to fret. There will always be something about which to be watchful. But for now—for the next few weeks—I just want to be excited, to be happy, and let everything else fall away.

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

7 Comments

  1. kristen on February 4, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Sending you a hug. And yes, being scared and worried takes so much effort and it will take all your strength if you let it, so I am so happy to hear that you are focusing on the baby, the good times to come, the joy.

    Take care of yourself, Kate. And I’m so sorry for your loss.



  2. lintofpocket on February 5, 2008 at 9:53 am

    I am sorry for your loss and for the fear and helplessness the loss envokes in your mind.

    Bad stuff is going to happen. But it can help us to appreciate what we have and to not take it for granted.

    Congratulations on 35 weeks.



  3. Sheri on February 5, 2008 at 10:20 am

    oh, the pain of death. i’m so very sorry. oh, the joy and hope of new life. breathing in on a little of that from over here. so close now…



  4. Lisa on February 5, 2008 at 11:38 am

    I’m so sorry about your friend.



  5. Mardougrrl on February 5, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I am sorry for your loss. I’ve also struggled with depression and continue to do so, in spite of the joy my Madam brings me.

    Take good care of yourself and your daughters. Has a nice ring, doesn’t it? Daughters.

    Congratulations on the 35 weeks. I guess by the time I finally get to meet you, I’ll meet her as well.



  6. *camerashymomma* on February 5, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    hugs to you, kate. this post was very touching for me. take care, in this 35th week… and yes, let it fall away, the best you can, even if in little bits, and make room for the bundle of bubbling love you’re about to receive from your new little one.



  7. Emmie (Better Make It A Double) on February 8, 2008 at 12:28 am

    I’m so sorry Kate, but so happy you’ve really made it to a safe gestation. I can’t wait to hear that you’ve met your second daughter. I hope we can do some stroller walking or park sitting this summer.