The Hulk Duality

I think when you become a mother you develop a split personality. Maybe even multiple personalities.

There's the sweet, loving, doting person you become around your child. You love your child, and every time they smile at you, it's like a ray of sunshine.

And then you start watching the news. Or you let your obnoxious relative hold your child (reluctantly). Your brain begins to churn over thoughts of "what if?". What if she gets hurt? What if someone hurts her? What if someone tries to take her? What if I was the mother of that child that was hurt by their relative or a complete stranger? What if what if what if what if...? It could go on forever.

The absolute terror that comes with having a child spawns this alternate personality. The Incredible Mother Hulk. The uncontrollable anger and rage that comes at the thought of someone injuring your child. And the insane thoughts of what you would do to that person. At any given moment, you could turn into a giant, angry, screaming being that will just SMASH anyone that gets in your way (you may also unnecessarily turn green).

THAT is the crazy split personality I am talking about.

While I am sure there are other personalities to come, this is the one brought to mind at the moment.

Not because someone hurt Anna. But because someone else I know passed away. Someone young. Ambitious. Caring. Kind. And she didn't have to. We received a letter about how important our institution was to this young woman. How the family plans to remember her.

And I can't imagine what I would do in their shoes.

Except become the Incredible Mother Hulk.