If you believe in reincarnation…
Silly, I know, but it had never occurred to me how difficult it is to learn to do the things we do so effortlessly with our bodies. It was only several weeks ago, when I saw the expression on Joaquin’s face while he was holding a rattle with his left hand and mom offered another object to his right hand… You could see the mental effort this poor little creature was going through in order to deal with that problem.
He keeps getting better and better at working with his hands, but he is (and has been for a while) very ready to do something fruitful with his legs. He can’t wait to walk. Sure, he’ll settle for crawling if he needs to, but it’s really walking… jumping… flying that he wants to do.
Watching my baby learn all things, and observing his reactions to the process, has made me think that — if you believe in reincarnation — Joaquin is a very old spirit, coming to this world with a very clear and important mission. And man, does he hate to be a baby and have to learn these basic things all over again!…
“Why can’t I walk already?”
“I don’t want to sit here. C’mon, lose these straps. I want up!”
“Those little children… They bore me.”
“Stupid toy! You suck!”
“Lay down here while I eat?… Heck no!… I’m a man on the go! I want to eat while I’m running! I want to pee standing!”
Bebé, bebé — I think as I’m rocking him dead tired after playing — I can’t wait for you to learn it all either. I really want to see who it is that you will become… In the meantime, you’re my sweet sweet baby, and I love that you’re so tiny and fit right here, in my arms.
