The Knot She Will Remember.

 

     

 I love Babies! It's as simple as that. I see them as God creating little drops made in the image of him. In America we feel it is so important to spend money on these elaborate baby carriers. This simple way of carrying a child using a few yards of fabric and a simple knot. When in Cameroon I was absorbed in photographing the relationship of a mother and child. The idea that the child is part of their mother forever is beautiful. A small treasure that she holds close until the child is big enough to be on their own. A bond created between a woman and her child that is love. The baby is tied, bound, to the mother until the mother is ready to release the knot that holds them together. As we go through our adoption of Ina (what I will call her in any public form but it is not her name) I have been aware that we were never destined to experience this contact together. She was another woman's baby. Another woman got to hold her close, she was bound to another, who got to love her, and care for her until it was time for Ina to be mine. For this other woman, Ina's birth mother, I am grateful, jealous, but very grateful. I am beholden to this other woman for the knot of love she was able to give Ina as a baby. I am in dept to her for teaching my child love. For teaching Ina the bond between a mother and child.
     While visiting I had a conversation with Ina's Auntie Jackie, the woman that is the caregiver for the center. I wanted to know what was an important custom, tradition or sight that I should incorporate into our family. I really would like Ina to remember the culture of her birth country. Jackie said there were only a few things that the center children would really associate with their culture. The fabrics and the mother carrying her baby on her back were what defined woman in Cameroon. This is what I would like Ina to remember, love and cherish. I have lots of pictures of this but I did buy lots of fabric too. Leigha and I are ready to play dolls with Ina and practice carrying them on our backs!