Crying babies

A rambling insight:

A few years ago my mother, who has to recall moments of victimization when not actively being victimized, told me how I cried non-stop the first three years of my life and she didn’t get a full night sleep those entire three years. I, now able to stand up for myself, said, “You can’t blame me for being a baby. What’s more, babies and toddlers sense their environment and you can’t for a moment pretend that you brought me into a healthy space. If I cried for three straight years I clearly wasn’t being nurtured and having my needs met.”

Fast forward to now, 35 years old and I foster cats for the local shelter. Last week I brought home three malnourished orphans who are about four weeks old and also a new mom with her three plump babies of the same age. She and her babies are sweet and playful and quiet. The poor orphans couldn’t figure out how to do anything but mew their little lungs out. After a few days of good food and my companionship and baths they were still a mess. I trepidatiosly introduced them to the others and the mom cat took them without hesitation. It’s been amazing to watch them snuggle and get groomed and feed and finally have the strength to play! What’s more, they’re now silent. They no longer need to scream for someone to take care of them.

It’s amazing what a nurturing environment will do.