The Sensation of Symmetry
There is beauty in symmetry. Two halves, equal and opposite, which compose a whole. A balance and proportion that indicates completion. Evidence that there is a deliberateness and orderliness to the world which I find both comforting and awe-inspiring.
The human mind reaches for things that make sense. We have sought symmetry since the dawn of time -- it transcends cultures, eras, and trends. The architecture of Egypt's pyramids, Gothic cathedrals, the White House are all based on symmetric design. Leonardo da Vinci's pen-and-ink drawing of the Vitruvian Man is a symbol of the beautiful proportion and symmetry of the human body, and by extension, the universe. Musical compositions, especially classical, are exercises in repeating patterns of melody and form. Sonnets crafted by Shakespeare and E.E. Cummings flow in persistent rhythms and rhymes that reflect upon themselves. Even Mother Nature boasts of the symmetrical: a starfish, a snowflake, a honeycomb, the ratio from the sun to the moon that enables the moon to block the sun when the two are perfectly aligned.
There is peace in symmetry. A small, quiet voice whispering, "it is as it should be."
With this baby, there is symmetry.
At the beginning of the IVF process, at least a hundred year ago, we were concerned about having more embryos than we needed. Yet to achieve this second pregnancy, we used the last remaining embryos we created for the first pregnancy. An equilibrium was reached, two lives were created. One for each of us.
My son was born the day after the anniversary of my mother's death. My daughter is due two days before my mother's birthday.
End and beginning, beginning and end, life balanced perfectly on the head of a pin. It is as it should be.
The human mind reaches for things that make sense. We have sought symmetry since the dawn of time -- it transcends cultures, eras, and trends. The architecture of Egypt's pyramids, Gothic cathedrals, the White House are all based on symmetric design. Leonardo da Vinci's pen-and-ink drawing of the Vitruvian Man is a symbol of the beautiful proportion and symmetry of the human body, and by extension, the universe. Musical compositions, especially classical, are exercises in repeating patterns of melody and form. Sonnets crafted by Shakespeare and E.E. Cummings flow in persistent rhythms and rhymes that reflect upon themselves. Even Mother Nature boasts of the symmetrical: a starfish, a snowflake, a honeycomb, the ratio from the sun to the moon that enables the moon to block the sun when the two are perfectly aligned. There is peace in symmetry. A small, quiet voice whispering, "it is as it should be."
With this baby, there is symmetry.
At the beginning of the IVF process, at least a hundred year ago, we were concerned about having more embryos than we needed. Yet to achieve this second pregnancy, we used the last remaining embryos we created for the first pregnancy. An equilibrium was reached, two lives were created. One for each of us.
My son was born the day after the anniversary of my mother's death. My daughter is due two days before my mother's birthday.
End and beginning, beginning and end, life balanced perfectly on the head of a pin. It is as it should be.
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