Buddha

22 weeks this week, and at this point there is no hiding my beautiful baby boy from the world. As we anticipate his arrival, the baby bump draws a lot of attention and squeals. It seems the protruding shape is a natural magnet for hands and "ooohhhsss and aaahhhhhhhsss". 


This has become even more apparent since I have shifted gears to elementary school this week. With a campus full of people who enjoy kids, and are nurturing by nature, I have found the comfort and joys of women that praise the pregnancy process. Initially thinking about people constantly rubbing my belly like I am Buddha honestly freaked me out. I didn't know how I would feel or how much of my personal space I would feel is violated. As things move along and the belly continues to grow, I have actually found that the natural love of pregnancy is simply amazing. People naturally gravitate towards my belly because this little miracle is growing inside of me, and to some extent, everyone wants to share in that. Especially for women, pregnant women remind them of what they have already experienced or what they would someday like to experience. If nothing else, it reminds women of the insane capabilities their bodies have. 


I think the most gratifying belly touch (aside from my husband of course!), is that of a caring man. Their grin and praise of the belly is so touching because they truly have no idea how the female body could ever produce a human being. It is a rare moment that a male would ever gravitate towards the belly but when that rare moment comes, it shows a lot to me about the character of the man in front of me.


To feel like Buddha is a gift that I would have never imagined wishing for.


“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” - Buddha