| Get Into It! Spring - Summer 2008 |
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A welcome birth
How did this happen? I remember asking myself. Somewhere amid the joy and chaos of new motherhood and my first son, a seed of an idea was conceived. My first reaction was dismay. As poet JD Vishus once said, I guess I should have used mind protection!
As far as I was concerned, I did not have the time, money or energy for anything new. Between feedings, strollers, late-night diaper shopping, cooking, carseats, growing piles of laundry and agonizing over every decision – let’s just say I was stretched to the limit. But it was too late. The seed took root and insisted on coming to life inside me.
At first it was our little secret. My husband and I shared the thrill of each passing day. It was soon obvious to friends, family and community that something was going on. It was there in our quick glances, excited grins and whispered exchanges.
We just couldn’t wait. In March 2003, we made the announcement: a new life was on the way!
As we prepared for our new arrival, we continued to spread the word. The news was usually met with joy, sometimes skepticism but always anticipation. We received so many letters, emails and calls of congratulations and offers to help. We knew that we were truly blessed.
All the same, we faced many challenges during our long gestation. More than once I had to be on bed rest! Time passed and people became anxious. Is it time yet? Is it time yet? It seemed this seed would never come to fruition.
Finally, after two years of labour and a whole lot of pushing, Black Woman and Child has finally been born. And just as it was with our two beautiful children, everyone wants to hold her, look at her and wonder, Who does she look like?
That’s easy.
She looks just like you.
Nicole Osbourne James
Publisher
Photo: Nicole and husband Paul with sons Njau (3 years) and Sekou (17 months). Photography by Dionne McDonald.
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What's On?
CNN Special: Blacks in America
"Somebody who saw that special will be looking at me now, thinking that I am probably pregnant with twins for a man whose name I don’t know and looking to the welfare system to support me because it is obvious that a black man never would, right?!"