Petals. Marti Eicholz

its usual rosy glow. She despised eating and mostly survived on ginger ale and crackers. The doctor told her, “Don’t worry. Babies take what they need.”

      “I want this baby out of me and into my arms. I hate the waiting. I feel trapped. I want to zoom to winter, to early next year and to the birth,” confiding in Kenneth. He held her close.

      The morning Timothy came into the world, the sun was shining. At first sight Thelma and Kenneth felt their new baby boy, cute and tiny, was very much like the sun, bringing warmth and rays of happiness into their lives.

      Kenneth presented Thelma with a rosebud, “Thelma, our baby is a fresh new beautiful flower. As we shower him with love and care, he will bloom into something beyond our imagination.”

      They hugged and cried happy tears, knowing this birth signaled a new beginning and a future full of promise.

      Cradling her newborn in her arms, Thelma with Kenneth at her side examined every tiny finger and toe and listened for his soft coos, thinking he was the most precious thing in the world.

      As she rocked him, “Little one I have little to give you, but what I can give you is my unconditional love, plenty of hugs and kisses, and a happy home.”

      Those were the words she longed for her mother to say but she got a Ford Taurus. She paused and continued her thoughts Mom I appreciate the Ford Taurus. It is a good car. Thank you. Wish you well.

      It was easy for Grandma Edie and Grandpa Eddie to fawn over little Timothy. He was their first grandchild, and he was a boy. They had two boys of their own and felt they understood boys. Silently and with sadness they remembered you cannot always protect them from harm.

      Edie looking with adoration, “This baby is a gift. Little Timothy signifies a new beginning, a chance to make the world a better place.”

      “And Timothy came to us with no baggage and without a care in the world,” Eddie claimed. Everyone smiled and nodded.

      Everyone marveled at the miracle of life, a gift with feelings of hope and excitement for what the future might bring.

      When Timothy’s finger curled around Grandma Edie’s pinky, they settled it. Grandma Edie would care for the little one while Thelma and Kenneth returned to their regular work routines.

      Saturday came and Thelma returned to the corner, displaying her art, creating new pieces, and showing off her newborn nestled nearby. Timothy, the tiny one, melted hearts. He touched Saturday shoppers with love.

      With Kenneth’s help Thelma focused on rescheduling a series of art lessons. Timothy bonded with Grandma Edie and his dad, Kenneth.

      “Thelma, I’ve never seen my mom as happy as she is now since becoming a grandma. Timmy, her first grandbaby changed her life for the better.” Those were Kenneth’s remarks as Thelma was ready to drop off Timothy to Grandma Edie before work.

      Grandma Edie gave an extra boost to the couple, caring for Timmy, assisting with everyday chores and plenty of general emotional support.

      One evening when Kenneth picked up Timmy, his mom with pride said, “Having this baby in my life is my reward for raising you. He has changed my life and the life of your dad for the better. Thank you.” She reached and hugged her son for the first time in a long while.

      Kenneth thought I feel something magical about the relationship between grandparents and a grandchild.

      “Mom, he truly is a joy. I love you and thank you for taking care of us. Your help benefits us immensely.” Kenneth wrapped Timmy in his arms and headed home.

      Each evening while Thelma was having an art lesson, Kenneth mirrored Timmy’s movements, mimicked his cooing and other vocalizations, gave him a bath, read, and sang to him before bed.

      Thelma quickly realized what a good caring father Kenneth was. She noticed how little Timmy tried to imitate his dad’s facial expressions and gestures and how he followed moving objects with his eyes.

      When she made eye-to-eye contact with her little boy and observed his smile, she suddenly sensed an explosion of love and joy. We are connecting a bond is forming.

      Thelma missed a monthly menstrual period. Her breasts became tender, and she had an unexplained tiredness. When the smell of coffee set her off, and the nausea hit, she knew. “Kenneth, we are having another baby.”

      Kenneth stood stunned. Quickly he recovered and gave Thelma a warm embrace.

      Nine months later Anthony, another rose, came into the world. Excited grandparents and parents clapped with glee as Timothy bounced and wobbled for attention.

      Mary arrived one year after the birth of little Tony. “We have a girl!” Kenneth shouted as Thelma was trying to gain strength. Exhausted and overwhelmed she wanted to hide and sleep.

      Her response startled Kenneth, “We are nothing but a baby factory, manufacturing little ones as fast as humanly possible. I am sick and tired of this. I quit my job, making babies.” Thelma rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

      Thelma refused to leave the hospital with her newborn, Mary, until she had a tubal ligation. She read the medical community considered tubal ligation to be a highly effective method of birth control and the research showed only one in 200 women become pregnant after having undergone the procedure. She felt this was the right decision for their family.

      Thelma had her “tubes tied”. The surgery involved cutting and tying off the fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from entering the uterus.

      Thelma loved her babies, but exhaustion hit her like a ton of bricks and the level of fatigue took over her whole life. The babies were all-encompassing and permeated every aspect and minute of the day. Grandma Edie stepped in when Timmy was born and she was great, but now there were three.

      Sharing with Grandma Edie, “I find functioning as a human difficult. I can do the bare minimum.” Edie hugged her daughter-in-law.

      “Eddie and I are here for you and the family. We are happy to be close and healthy. We are one big team.” Edie cut back on creating bridal gowns, giving children piano lessons, and baking for charity events.

      Thelma and Kenneth continued their work schedules and Thelma pursued her art. She needed her creative outlet, working on what brought her love and joy. Cuddling with the little ones she shared her thoughts with Kenneth, “We are born to follow our own bread-crumb-trail of ideas, taking us to our individual in-born purpose, be that in art, mathematics or science.”

      “Thelma, your art is your joy. It is your God-given pathway for natural healing. Your wellness is important to me and the children. We want a happy mommy.” After a hug they shared bathing, reading, and sending the little ones off to sleepy land.

      Thelma knew creating her art lowered her stress and left her feeling mentally clear and calm. It provided her with a distraction, a brain breaks from worrying about babies and being overwhelmed by their physical, their intellectual, their emotional needs and financial demands. The responsibility of being a parent weighed heavy on her. Many times, a day she thought of Edie and sent her a moment of gratitude, surrounding her with blessings. Looking at her work, she saw her pain coming out in her paintings. Her pictures revealed her soul. Words did not communicate her deeper self, but her artwork did.

      Edie and Eddie loved their grandkids. Taking them into their home every morning required major adjustments, it was challenging. They took responsibility for the day-to-day routines. For the first few years it was dealing with colicky babies, meals and toddler play dates. Now the children were older along came schedules, homework, and school and leisure activities. Edie made sure each one had piano lessons and Mary was learning to sew.

      At breakfast Edie was scurrying around. Eddie placed his gaze on her, “Edie, we are rolling back the years. Being around these kids keeps us rejuvenated. You look great!” She gave him a warm smile and poured his coffee.

      They derived immense satisfaction from providing their grandchildren with a safe, nurturing, and structured home environment in which to grow and feel loved.