The ‘Want’

Are you born with it or is it something that you acquire? Is it a goal that society values? Is it inherent in all females? Is it a panic decision as the clock ticks past the age for procreation? Is it one of life’s greatest gifts to give and receive the love of a child? Can it be replaced? Should there be a selection process, rules and regulations? What if you can’t? Does it pass with age, diminish over time? Is it only through carrying and birthing a child that the ‘want’ is eased? Does nature choose who becomes a mother as part of a grand scheme?

Brigid had the ‘want’ which became the excuse. Kate never had it, or did she? We will never know. Who decided it was an unfortunate role for a woman to remain childless? Who chose to call her barren? Does a male have the ‘want’ or is it a ‘gift’ of being female? Does every female have the ability to be a mother? Is nurture part and parcel of the title bestowed on those that care for a child?

What are the questions we ask ourselves as we make these decisions in our life. It can be all consuming for some and for others, not even cause for a momentary flash upon the inward eye. Can you manifest the want, or is it part of a grand plan that no amount of visualisation can change? Does the unconditional love of a mother shield from darkness? Is it the greatest gift for a child to experience this love, a love that is not earned, never challenged, forever constant?  

Is it lived, experiential, or is it conditional? Can this love in formative years set the recipient apart, solidifying love as a base for all else? Shielding, protecting, nurturing, constant. Were Brigid and Kate forever challenged with the loss of their mother? Did this loss in Kate’s life bring about the trauma in her soul, did it make Brigid resilient, navigating the role of her stepmother? Had they known the loss of their mother more keenly because it was replaced in their lives? Did they know what took their mother from them, or was it simply God’s will?  

Brigid had the ‘want’ and it came at a price, or did it? Would she have acted any differently had she known the outcome? Was it the ‘want’ that drove her to the extremes or was it inherently there, ‘want’ or not?  

Was it worth it?  

For some it is their greatest gift in life, with only sorrow for those who do not get to experience it.  

Did Ben have the ability to understand the ‘want’ in Brigid? Was he of his generation, would any husband have acted differently a century ago? Was it all in the name of love, the love of his wife and the love of his God?

I know for sure, those that have known the love of a mother, the unconditional love that is in every cell, that flows through their flesh and their blood, really does conquer all.

It is life’s greatest gift to a child.

There is nothing in this life that can take the place, of the love of a Mother, not for all the tea in China.