The Scarlet Letter

I started to post about how some people treat you differently when something bad happens to you. Then I realized that has more to do with the person than it does with me. When bad things happen, some people get scared that it might be catching and try to stay away from it. Some people think, "I just don't know what to say" and just avoid contact for a while until the whole matter goes away.
 
It's hard because I know many people out there who go through infertility issues start to pull away or start to be resentful of pregnant women and babies. It can be very difficult, especially when one is working through the grieving process. However, I have not become that person, I promise. A big reason why is because we already grieved and processed our infertility and opened our hearts to adoption. I am excited and proud and joyful about our adoption and do not resent other people's paths.

Perhaps some people mis-took my writing about being mad to mean I was mad at other people. To be honest, I was angry at God. But He is pretty strong and He can take it. After all, I'm a person and get frustrated. It is like a teenage girl that gets mad at her parents for not letting her go to a party. They made the right call and she will appreciate it when she is older, but today she is furious at the "injustice". But He and I are still close so we are good.

I know this will all work out for the best, I honestly do. And I haven't changed my personality in significant ways, so do not be afraid of spending time with me or talking to me. You can even let me hold your babies and talk to me about frustration with swollen pregnancy ankles. It's cool...as long as I get to complain about paperwork and wait times. After all, it is only fair!

As far as what to say, "I'm sorry" is still appropriate. Or "Hang in there" or "We're thinking about/ praying for you guys" Stuff like that is awesome. You can throw in a hug if you have one. But after that, it is ok to be friends like usual.
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments

  • 5/6/2008 10:31 PM Tasha wrote:
    Is it okay to say 'it was always God's plan to burden you with paperwork?'

    I think there are so many hackeneyed cliches that, even though corny, really make sense. Like God works in mysterious ways.. and even the Rascal Flatts song 'God Bless the broken road that led me straight to you.' I, like that teenage girl you mention in your post, realize that every 'injustice' is really a nudge for me in the right direction.

    It takes a strong and confident woman who in the time of her own grief can embrace the joys of other people's happiness. Bless you for that!!!

    Here's a big virtual hug to you!
    Reply to this
  • 5/8/2008 6:50 AM Audra wrote:
    I am thinking of you and praying for you! ! Sometimes the hardest part of a situation like this is the "elephant in the room" that is causes. People sometiems do not want to talk about pregnancy around you and you can almost sense the tention when you say, "Can I hold your baby?" And I think that was the hardest part for me when I was going through something similar. Heck... if holding the baby makes me cry... so what, it is just tears! I wanted to say, "LET ME HOLD THE BABY DARN IT... and stop looking at me waiting for me to cry!"

    And Anger and Questioning are ALL part of the grieving process! You will go through them all! Some more than once. It is a loss. Here are the "textbook" stages:
    1. Denial and Isolation.
    2. Anger.
    3. Bargaining.
    4. Depression.
    5. Acceptance.

    Acceptance comes at different times for different people... it will come... but not until you have resolved the other steps some-what. And it is not necissarily in that order or in a certain time-frame. And it does not have to take a long time... you may already be at 5. You may jump back down to 3 tomorrow, then back up to 5.

    Sorry, I have not been able to use my Psych degree in so long. I will stop with the textbook stuff now! I am thinking of you!
    Reply to this
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.