There have been few times in my life when I have felt that kind of blind protectiveness. My niece, Alexis, quit college for a while to work and decide what she would like to do. When my mother told me about this I got irrationally protective. I announced exactly what Alexis would be doing with her life "Over my dead body!", the least of which would be hanging out and not completing her university degree. I sounded exactly as I wished to never sound - blind by my own good intentions.

It happened also when my friend Larry got married. I pretty much freaked just before the wedding ceremony. A wave of emotions that I can only decribe as joyous/nervous pride came over me and I could barely hold myself together while pacing in the church gym in my four inch heels and a lavender bridesmaid dress. At the reception Larry and I danced together while we cried like drunken cheerleaders.

And now, here I am pregnant with my daughter. I am told by my other friends who are parents that I don't have a clue how much love and protectiveness I will feel for this little human being when I lay my eyes on her.

I gotta tell ya - I am already pretty sure that the mamma possum has nothing on me in the psycho rage department if I think for one second that this wiggly baby in my belly is within even earshot of an unkind word.

This parenting gig is going to be quite the ride!