Did you know that my middle name is cliche? Well, I fugure I may as well earn it with this post. Consider yourself warned
I'd like to go ahead and claim the childbirth metaphor with Helen. Most males who do this earn the scorn, disdain, and criticism of their female peers -- oh well. Yesterday, as you may know, I emailed my SIP to Dr. Fikkert, Dr. Mask, Prof. Corbett, Asha, Ben, Peter, Bekah, and a whole slough (slew?) of people who might give me some feedback, positive or otherwise. It was surprisingly like to what I have heard about mailing baby announcements.
For a long, long time I've been calling my SIP "Helen." It was a good name in the classical, symbolic sense but also in the common, functional, sense. That is to say, it reminded me of Paris' captive Grecian bride and it made possible all sorts of cute phrases -- such as "Helen the Hellion."
The last three weeks have seen me grow increasingly uneasy about this image. Of course, I maintained the ruse during friendly discourse. "Helen and I are defining our relationship tonight," I would say. Or, "I've been working at guarding my heart with Helen, really setting boundaries." Ha. Ha. On the inside, however, I began to feel a more organic connection with this tiny little piece of research. I began to feel connected in a more vital way than I would with a girlfriend.
Shortly thereafter, contractions began. I was in serious labor for a LONG time. I forgot the names of close friends. I stopped sleeping regularly. I had strange food cravings. My fingers ached from typing and then deleting, over and over. My brain would run for miles at a time, exhausted and yet focused on THE BIG PUSH. PUSH. PUSH. PUSH. Well, what do you know? Out popped a baby! Imagine that!
Only, what does one do with post-partum issues?
Helen, I must see Helen! That ugly child you said you conceived and was never able to show to others. Come to me Helen, I'll accept you!!!
Posted by: Kim at August 13, 2006 01:09 AM