The Lee Three

The Lee Three

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Womanhood - A Stamp of Approval

While infertility is not a regular struggle in my life anymore, I will always have a heart for those in the midst of this struggle and a desire to help fertile people understand and love those going through the painful struggle of infertility.

It is for that reason that I am posting this great quote I recently came across:

(Regarding adopting their daughter) . . . "Yes, her arrival filled the void we felt in our family and we were so grateful for the gift of adoption, however, a successful adoption does not erase the pain of infertility. When a woman is pregnant it is like a great confirmation of her womanhood - a stamp of approval that she is worthy to create life. I still had that lingering feeling of being passed over, of somehow not being worthy of that gift (that may sound severe, but I am sure I am not alone in this feeling).

No, the woman who wrote this is certainly not alone in this feeling. I almost felt a huge sigh of relief after I first read this quote. It explained something I've never been able to put words to. From time-to-time I still get a pit-in-my-stomach feeling when I see pregnant women or hear a pregnancy announcement. And it doesn't make sense to me because I am totally fine not ever being pregnant (I am quite happy to adopt any other kids God wants to give us). But this quote explains my feelings exactly - and the feelings of several other women who can't get pregnant that I have sent it to!

I also recently read this great article for friends of family of people who are struggling with infertility.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for including a link to the article about what infertile couples want and need. It's amazing, and so true! Thanks for sharing your story, and especially your comment on adoption emotions.

Christy said...

Thanks so much for posting the link to that article. I have so many friends who have had to deal with infertility, and it is so hard to know what to say/not to say, and how to respond. This was super helpful!

kristine said...

i know - i mean, i try to know. and it's so easy to take for granted when it happens for you. i have a lot of friends who struggle with infertility and my heart really aches for them. it reminds me what a gift and blessing it is.