Sweet Babies

Anyone who knows my mother is aware that she likes to oogle over babies. They also know that she has a catch phrase when she believes an infant is of less than average looks—she calls them sweet. She uses this adjective because it is her belief that all babies are sweet by design. The words pretty and beautiful are adjectives of bestowment--not birthright.

And people who really know me know that I am not magnetically drawn to tiny humans. I was never the woman in a room full of women who begged to hold the baby. I enjoyed I cooing and oogling from afar. I preferred that the center stage infant kept its goo to itself. I also did not think it was wise for the baby’s well-being to be passed around like a tray of mini-meatballs. I believe babies have the right to be left alone--particularly when they are content.

And now that I am of an age where I have several friends who either are, or are about to become grandmothers I must reconcile my quirkiness with good manners. I do not want to offend anyone when I remain at arm’s distance.

I just want to look into the baby’s face and tell their grandmother how they are sweeter than sweet— beautiful and angelic.

A magnificent clean slate—innocent and completely full of potential.

And the other day my mother bumped into one of my good friends who recently became a grandmother. My mother asked my friend if she had any pictures of the baby—which of course my friend did. And then I held my breath and asked What did you think of baby-X? And I nearly collapsed in relief when she said He is absolutely adorable!

My mother was genuine in her remark. Because if the baby had been merely sweet, she would have said so. My mother never minces words---and sometimes that’s a good thing---and other times—not so much.