Mummy just told me that Damien, my 8 month-old baby nephew, may be suffering from kidney problems and will have to go to the hospital for various tests in order to determine the exact nature of his condition. I only have to imagine all those syringe, needles and tubes going near that tiny little body, to feel an unpleasant cold sensation prickling the walls of my stomach and a sudden horrible dryness in my mouth. I'm now reading everything I can find online about childhood kidney problems with my auntly instincts fully kicked into gear. I think the auntly instinct is giving me some semblance of an understanding of the maternal instinct; that fiercely protective streak that mothers possess innately, that enables them to do anything for their children. I spent my growing years in the company of my aunts, it really fascinated me to see what those extraordinary women would do for their families, their kids, their sisters' kids. Hmmm, I suppose it would come to me too, when the time is right. Ahhhhhhh. I know I'm supposed to be doing my CNM project now, but I just can't take my mind off poor little Damien. Sighsighsigh.