Uterus (or absence there of)

My mother had a hysterectomy yesterday. I don't really know what to say about it, only that it happened. I came to be in that uterus and now it's no more. It makes me wonder who else may grow in mine. Who will be the sweet, new life that I push from my womb and cradle in my arms. I'm not pregnant. I'm just wondering. Claire is napping and I'm exhausted and already I'm contemplating more babies. The drive to procreate is weird. It's powerful and not easy to ignore. The reality of it is very difficult. My baby is responsibility and work and tears. But also laughter and goofiness and slobbery kisses. Why would you want to deny yourself that even with all the work? I realize that not everyone has the desire for children but I do. Claire made me a woman. I was only a girl before her. But a girl cannot raise another girl. I had to become a mother.