**Diary Entry 12th October**
Youve grown so plain, youll definitely have a daughter, my mother-in-law used to say to me. When others complained about clashes with their in-laws, I never believed them. With mine, things were finebut only because we moved nearly 200 miles away right after the wedding.
I barely had time to get to know my new “mum.” We stayed at their flat for a week after the reception, and everything seemed pleasant enough. Then we leftmy husband was in the military, so we relocated.
We lived there for ten years. Then, out of nowhere, my husband was reassigned back to his hometown. I wasnt thrilledId settled in, we had a lovely house, and I was expecting our third child. But there was nothing to be done.
I gave birth in his hometown. A year later, I was pregnant again. Unplanned, but wed always wanted a big family, so we didnt dwell on it. During the pregnancy, my “mum” came to “help.” Shed visit now and then, but instead of lifting a finger, shed sip tea and dole out advice.
I brushed off her comments about cleaning and household chores. But when she started on child-rearing, I seethed. It grated on methis woman who hadnt seen me in a decade, who knew her grandchildren only from photos, suddenly dictating how I should raise them.
Then, in my eighth month, she announced, Youre definitely having a girl!
Wed hoped for a girlafter three boys, why not? So I smiled and asked, What makes you say that?
Youve aged terribly. Your face is all puffed up. A girl steals her mothers beauty.
Thanks ever so, I said dryly. Ive swollen like this in every pregnancy.
Not like this.
And how would you know? Youve only seen photos.
Dont argue with me. When I carried my son, I glowed. You look frightfullike youre full of water. Cant even fit into slippers anymore, can you?
I stayed quiet. Didnt tell her it wasnt the babys sexit was being 39. Shed had my husband at 19. At that age, everyones blooming. Shed called me plain more times than I could count. My husband finally put a stop to it.
And as it turned outwe had another son.
**Lesson:** Some people will always find fault, no matter what. Best to let their words roll off youlike rain off a waxed coat.
