Describing the Indescribable

The first child was born, and wanting to have children close in age our 2nd came due only 15 months later... little did we know it would be twins.

This last year has been indescribable. Indescribably joy, laughter, and exhaustion. I just finished reading something that came closer to describing the indescribably.

On recommendation from a friend (thanks, Melissa) both of us have recently finished reading Barbara Kingsolver's novel, "The Poisonwood Bible." Near the end of the book the mother shares her reflections on the early years with her eldest 3 (all girls: a singleton followed by twin girls) that resonated in my heart and made me think back to our own experience. I share this quote as a tribute to my wife, who has loved our boys better than I ever could.

"The twins came just as Rachel was learning to walk. What came next I hardly remember, whole years when I battled through every single day of grasping hands and mouths until I could fall into bed for a few short hours and dream of being eaten alive in small pieces. I counted to one hundred as I rocked, contriving the patience to get one down in order to take up another. One mouth closed on a spoon meant two crying empty, feathers flying, so I dashed back and forth like a mother bird, flouting nature's maw with a brood too large. I couldn't count on survival until all three of them could stand alone. Together they were my first issue. I took one deep breath for every step they took away from me. That's how it is with the firstborn, no matter what kind of mother you are - rich, poor, frazzled half to death or sweetly content. A first child is your own best foot forward, and how you do cheer those little feet as they strike out. You examine every turn of flesh for precocity, and crow it to the world." p.381