i want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to hit a baseball. i want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog for the first time. i want her to taste the joy that is so real it hurts.my friend's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "you'll never regret it," i say finally. then, squeezing my friend's hand, i offer a prayer for her and for me and all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this holiest of callings.