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A Babe(y) Magnet

WE have all heard of "Babe Magnets" - those elusive males that seem to attract the females (babes) with little effort. Maybe just by waking in the morning.

I've never met one.

But I have met Baby Magnets. You know the type - the person that can make any baby or child smile. You see them in church trying not to be the distraction to the baby/child a few pews away - but that child just can't stop smiling or cooing to the person a few pews away.

I have met and admire many natural baby magnets. Both of my sisters, Kelli and Kerri, are such draws; babies and children just adore them and the feeling is mutual. My own children just adore these aunts and often text/email/talk to them all on their own! My Mom is another - and maybe that's where my sisters got the gift! I envy their natural gift.

Maybe it's my penance for being the world's worst babysitter at times - families would call requesting Kelli and if she was busy I'd get booked. Poor kids - I'd set the clock ahead for those that could tell time so I could put them to be sooner! Until the Rosen family that lived across the street - their daughter Dana and I hit it off and the parents were pretty cool too. They would actually let me take Dana to the swim club or have friends over when I was babysitting. I went with them on vacation a couple times, too. If anything it gave me the sense that I, too, could be good (not great) with children.

Even in college, I went from wanting to never have children to in my early twenties thinking maybe one would be okay. To me, motherhood represented repression and was the antithesis to my 'burn your bra' feminism. I didn't know/truly love any children.

And then my niece and Godchild, Shannon, was born and the world opened like a flower. I would drive the five hours from the Detroit area to the Cincinnati area every couple weeks - JUST to see Shannon. My sister and brother-in-law, too, I suppose. It wasn't anything I did or changed - but that beautiful little girl baby would just smile and coo and laugh when I was with her. (In all likelihood she did so with everyone!). And I was beyond smitten. And I am beyond grateful - because Shannon opened a world to me that I am quite sure God wanted opened. Thank you, Shannon.

And then I had Michael - and I have never looked back.

Now parenting is my life - it's what I live and think about most of my waking hours. And if we're out-and-about, I am likely to be the one that is cooing and adoring the babies/children around me. I am not on the level of my sisters or Mom but a weaker, refrigerator-brand of magnet while they are the industrial sort!

Here's the thing - Children are the magnets we should all be drawn to, don't you think? And maybe what my sisters, Mom and I have isn't so much a 'baby magnet' but instead they/we are drawn to the magnet that is children.

And that is a good thing!

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