God designed women to be tough, forgetful, and just plain goofy.   Women have scars, both mental and physical, but they just keep going.  As soon as they hold a baby they forget about that hell they recently went through to bring one into the world. It is like trying to tell a five year old why they don’t need a new puppy. It just doesn’t work. When women are in “the phase” you may as well forget trying to talk them out of it. They will do whatever it takes to get a baby; if you are their partner you had better be helpful in this pursuit.

However, eventually, there comes a day when a woman knows that she is finished having children.   “The phase” has ended.   Babies and puppies neither one attract you like steel to a magnet because you know that they soon become teenagers and teen dogs. You are aware that you have neither the physical nor mental capacity to take on one more soul whether it is human, animal, or both.

I reached this point of definiteness after KD#4. I was so done. I had enough joy and blessings in my life. God needed to take a turn bestowing them upon someone else. My cup was not only full, but it was running over.  So it was a surprise to me when one of my children brought up the prospect of having another brother or sister.

All four children were in the car with me, and it was all I could do not to slam on the brakes. KD#2 said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if mom had another baby?”  “It would be fun to have another brother or sister.” KD#1 being wise and all knowing proceeded to explain to KD#2 why that wasn’t even an option.

“Have you seen the commercials where they talk about spaying and neutering your pets?”  KD#2 says, “Yes.”  KD#1 replies, “Well, Mom sent Dad in and had that done.”  Then KD#3 and KD#4 chime in “Yes, there will be no more babies now because Dad has been spayed.”

What does one say to this? Well, one takes a quick moment to collect a thought and then speaks. “You are right kids; there will be no more babies.”  Then one continues driving and smiling all the way home because every precaution has been taken that a surprise, a miracle, a condition, whatever you would like to call it; it will not occur!

  - Marie A.

My enough happened at four. When was yours and how did you know?