Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

May 30, 1923 –Oh the wonderful joy & ecstasy of beholding one’s little baby; to stroke its downy little head and feel its little fingers clutch hold of mine; to watch each little change of expression in its tiny face – what a joy to hear it cry, to behold it fly into its little rages when the breast is not forthcoming on the instant it feels the hunger pangs. I can not help but simply look at it, and look at it, wondering if it is really true, – that this is part of my flesh and blood, and Bertha’s – the miracle seems too impossible, too marvelous. How when it merely yawns I feel like hugging it for love of it. Bertha & I have our wonderful moments too – she has grown more wonderful to me, more precious, something to be carefully cherished and cared for. Now I know what it really is to be united in marriage to the woman I love – I really behold my wife for the first time, and it is a great beholding. Tonight I rested my head on her knee in blissful peacefulness, and while she stroked my head I fell asleep. ; I believe the most sublime moments are when it is at her breast. There cannot surely be a greater sight for a man than to see