Some years ago, my friend and her baby daughter joined me for a visit to Denver’s historic Lakeside Amusement Park. It didn’t occur to me to offer help with the baby in any way since I was oblivious and thoughtless. My friend said she needed to stop in the restroom and she turned to me, and with a smile, thrust her baby into my arms. My headed almost exploded. I was pretty sure the child would not survive this encounter. Or me.
I fumbled with the infant as my friend turned on her heel and walked away. Since I was a woman who probably looked to her like a grandma, all her mommy instincts told her it was 1. Fine to trust me and 2. I would enjoy this. I spent the 4 minutes outside the bathroom saying, “Hi, baby, hi baby,” a few times, and looking around me for a back-up caretaker in case I blacked out. All was well and the mother retrieved the child, looking, I thought, disappointed that I didn’t say something like, “Oh, I’ll hold on to her awhile.”
I think I’ve changed just a bit and would do better in this situation if it happens again. I might not feel instinctive baby-love in my soul, but I value my friends more than ever.
Jane Cairns says:
I was wondering if you ever thought about putting out a second, updated edition of Facts in a Flash: A Research Guide for Writers.
E. Metter says:
How lovely of you to ask, Jane! I’m retired from librarianship these days, so I’m behind the times. But perhaps Writer’s Digest, now part of Penguin Random House, will hire a bright and shiny new expert to write a similar, updated book.
Wishing you the best, Ellen