Three Little Birds

View from the balcony, January 1st 2011

Click to play [youtube]

Don't worry about a thing,
'Coz ev'ry little thing gonna be alright...

(Bob Marley, Three Little Birds)

If Wikipedia is to be believed, no-one is quite sure who or what Bob Marley had in mind when he wrote this hopeful, upbeat song, but it's as good as any to start the New Year, and not completely irrelevant. Justin again, who's sleeping in his cot next to me as I write this, and still growing well. No real smiles, despite the counter claims of Seán and Julian from the back seat of the car earlier today —"You just don't see it Dad, you're too busy driving!" (the second part of which was, fortunately, true...), but he seems content nevertheless.

Which leads to the point of the post. Should we believe only what we see, or what others—be they children or doctors—tell us? On the left, the baby I see, who's growing, stretching, gazing, cooing like any normal baby; on the right, the chromosomal evidence that supposedly seals his fate (trisomy 21, bottom center-left)?

Both are true pictures, but the one on the left makes the other one seem considerably less frightening, and easier to bear. Of course, the music doesn't hurt either. Have a good day!

Comments

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