Hi, my name is Becky and I’d like to have a baby.
Oh, sorry. Was that too much?
Let me paint you this picture instead.
I’m walking along a bridge. Behind me are newlywed-type
couples, still in their honeymoon phase where everything the other person says
is hilarious and they never argue about who will do the dishes. To my left are
the traveling couples, career-driven, who believe in working hard, but playing
harder – soaking up the culture of all the beautiful places they visit.
To my right are the singles – single or dating, they’re
enjoying where they are in their lives –the bar scene, taking spontaneous
trips, maybe looking for something more serious in a relationship, but not too
worried about it just yet. In front of me are the parents – new or experienced,
old and young, they’ve battled diapers, sickness, school projects, and teenage
attitudes.
I realize not everyone falls into these four categories, but
there’s a common theme in each of them:
I don’t belong.
I’ve always been a do-gooder. A rule-follower. A
play-it-safer. I’ve done what I’ve been told. I did everything “right.”
But I’ve realized it’s time to be my own game-changer.
I have finally allowed myself to dream big and then start
taking steps to make those dreams come true (even when it takes longer than I
want). I found blogging, re-discovered my writing roots, and managed to leave
jobs where the people were great but the work wasn’t challenging. I am pushing
myself and following the advice I give to others – that the only person
stopping me from having it all…is me.
Then late last year I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome (PCOS), and it’s been slowly shattering my world ever since.
This syndrome has started to define who I am and I’m stuck
between accepting it, and fighting it with all I have. There is a chance it
could lead to bigger health issues.
There is a chance I won’t be able to bear
children.
I used to be a black and white thinker but PCOS has pushed
me into the gray area, into this un-knowing, not-able-to-plan transition.
Sometimes I’m okay with that, and sometimes it gives my type-A self a panic
attack.
I’m learning this is more than the possibility of not being
able to have kids. It’s about trusting in a plan I did not create and how that
might re-define who I am. It’s exploring feelings I didn’t know existed, while
re-learning to trust my instincts after they’ve failed me time and time again.
It’s wondering if doing things “right” was the right decision after all.
I’d love to say I’ll tell you about my struggles with PCOS
for a few months and then I'll announce I’m
pregnant, or how I’m at peace with this curve ball life threw my way and open to
all possibilities. No really. I would love to tell you that. But I can’t. I
have no idea how long this transition I’m in will last.
I can tell you there will be times I’ll share funny stories
(like the time I had a dream my husband wanted to name our child after a weapon), things I’ve discovered about myself (supporting my dreams and the
dreams of my husband is worth it whether or not children are involved), or how
being in tune with myself through healthy living can make a world of difference
(yoga, a sugar detox, even healthier recipes).
But there will also be times when I cry and rail at the
world – days that are raw and miserable, when I doubt myself and my choices,
feel betrayed by my body, and wonder why my road to happiness seems to be
littered with minefields.
Yet I can’t guarantee how things will turn out. My learning
that, and even more accepting that will be a huge part of this transition.
So I’m here to share my journey. To take the stigma out of
this transition and dare I say, possibly embrace it. To come out the other side
a little calmer, a little wiser, and hopefully with a whole lot more
perspective – even if there’s no end in sight.
Final note: I was telling my mother-in-law about this essay when I first submitted it and when I got the part about how I don't belong she stopped what she was doing, took my face in her hands and said, "but you do belong. You belong to us because you're you." Any wonder why I love this woman?
10 comments:
Oh, HUGS! You are amazing, you know?
You're inspiring. If anyone can take this day by day, embrace it, and come out smiling, it's you - that's your gift.
I know we've talked about it a million times, I just feel like I'm supposed to send this again.
You are teaching the world to wait well my sweet friend. It's hard and messy and sad and sometimes heartbreaking, but it's also teaching the world that there's redemption in suffering and waiting.
I love you. Thanks for showing me how to wait well daily.
PS: I know your mom in law beat me to it, but you belong to me PP4L! You have since we were little and I love you. You are God's girl.
http://www.samuelmay.com/p/waiting-well.html
That last part about your mother in law just made me cry at work. That's so sweet and beautiful! And this post, well, you know I've loved it since the day you read it to me on the phone. You're an amazing woman, Becky. Love you through and through!
Hugs. You're mother-in-law sounds awesome, just like your momma!
I'm so glad you decided to share this essay on your blog AND chronicle your transition journey despite not making the final cut for Stratejoy. What an amazing essay to boot. I can't wait to read more about this! You are such a wonderful person. I love you! XO
I know I told you this earlier, but I'm going to say it again - They are missing out. You are truly a wonderful writer and I know that the reason you're not a featured writer on Stratejoy is because there are BIGGER things in store for you. Love you Becky!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!!!
I echo what Amber said - they are really missing out by not choosing you. I am glad you are going to start this post series because I think it will be an excellent platform for you to share your experiences.
Just remember. I think you are amazing. And so many other people do, too. Never forget that. Keep on keeping on, and sharing your lovely written words.
I had no idea you were going through any of this when we met, Becky. And you know what? I'm glad I didn't. This PCOS, this struggle, this challenge is only a piece of you, but definitely not who you are. It doesn't define you. Every challenge in life presents doors of opportunity. Take all of this one step at a time and doors will begin to open.
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