Nostalgia and Perspective

Our little boy started toddling a while ago. I loved to just sit and watch as he circled the couch with his hand gently using the back for balance. When he came to the corner, he would take three steps to the storage box we use as a coffee table. He would circle the box carefully with his hand on top until he reached the corner. Then, he would take the three addition steps by himself to reach the other corner of the couch. He enjoyed circling the couch and would often do it many times while giggling or babbling.

When baby boy was taking these steps around the couch one day when I realized the passing of time. One night your baby goes to bed and wakes up a toddler. One night your toddler goes to bed and wakes up a child. Soon that child grows into a teenager who is then eager for college. And then you stop and wonder when did they grow up? I now have a a little girl who is no longer a toddler and I now have a toddler who is no longer an infant.

It was during this moment that I noticed Maman Cele (my worker) who had walked into the room. I turned to her and sighed audibly. I told her I was sad that our baby boy would no longer be a baby. Maman Cele gave me a confused look and said, “Don’t be sad.” I assumed she did not understand me. I explained I was sad that my baby is growing up. Again, Maman Cele gave me a confused look and said, “Don’t be sad, rejoice.” I must have given her a look that said I was still confused because she continued, “Be happy your baby is alive. Each day he grows, he is alive.”

It was at that moment that I was ashamed. I live in a country where the mortality rate is astronomical – 1 in 7 children die before reaching the age of 5, and WHO estimates put the rate as high as 28% . It should be noticed that an official census of the population has not been taken of the country in a long time, thus the mortality percentage estimates are based on the numbers reported which means the mortality rate could be higher or lower based on an unknown total population.

Here before me stood a woman who has lost a child and who loves my child(ren) as fiercely as she loves one of her own. She was not sad that our baby boy would no longer be a baby but she was rejoicing that he is alive each and every day. That was a tough lesson for (nostalgic) me but I was definitely thankful for the new perspective she gave me. 

Motherhood Moments #1

Continuing with my "Life At Home" theme, I would like to introduce to you a new series (at least until I forget) titled "Motherhood Moments." Each Monday, I am going to post a photo of what motherhood looks like to me while living here, similar to my photo challenge photos. Some photos will be similar to an American lifestyle and others will reflect my life living in Africa. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Sometimes motherhood looks like this...

A sad child. Today, we woke up to the proprietor chopping down our "swing tree." Sweet pea had a swing hanging from this huge tree and we are not certain yet if it is still there. Since we are renting this property, we did not have to be informed of their beautification changes and choices. Sweet pea has been standing at the window for the past half hour crying the words "tree" and "swing" over and over. I am hoping they leave the swing and the swing branch but will have to wait and see.

Sweet Pea at the Natural History Museum

On my (Tasha's) bucket list for our vacation was to visit a museum. This morning we woke up to chilly and wet weather, which made for a perfect day at the museum. We put baby brother in the backpack carrier and sister in the stroller and headed out. Sister was immediately enraptured with everything! She was squealing and saying "WOW" and shouting "LOOK!" It was a great feeling to see how excited our little girl was when looking at bones and stuffed animals (taxidermy).

One of the things that sister requested upon entrance was to take over the photography. I figured it would be a nice break for me. Without further ado, here is the Natural History Museum as see in the eyes of our little girl.

Our first specimen is a cast of a fossil of a Plesiosaur that was mounted and displayed on the wall.

The museum hosts a lovely display of turtles. There are many different species in various ages of their lives including bones. The eggs and nests were amazing as well. Here is a photo of a sea turtle that was on display for people to touch.

A recent addition to the ecology exhibit included a crustacean display. Sister enjoyed exploring the many different types of ocean life, especially those that are edible!

After this section, Sister wanted to take a moment to photograph her family members.

Mama

Baby Brother

One of the most popular exhibits is the Diplodocus on display in the heart of the museum. This fossil was presented to the museum in 1905 and was moved in 1979 to Hintze Hall. In the 1990's a new scientific study found that the tail never dragged the ground but was held up higher. So the museum spent lots of time to dismantle and recast the tail. 

The mammal section housed amazing displays of beasts of all walks of life. The polar bear was a sight!

The lion was so very lifelike.

One of the largest sections is the exhibit of elephants. The museum boasts a large display of elephants including both African and Asian. The ones on display were placed in the museum back in the early 1900's and have been in the collection ever since.

And there you have it! A brief tour of the museum with your guide Adah!