About Me

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North Carolina, United States
I'm a 36yr old, wife, wannabe mom, horticulturalist, halfass knitter, and sometimes runner, searching for my grace

Monday, December 8, 2008

Getting lapped in the slow lane

This week marks the due date of my 5th pregnancy and the 2nd anniversary of my 3rd miscarriage. I feel like I have been so self absorbed lately. I try to reach out to my friends, but I find it harder and harder to relate.

Recently several of my friend were talking about aging and how moving into our mid thirties our bodies have changed. They complain about how childbirth has changed their stomach from flat washboards to pooches and their breasts are not as perky as they once were. It's so hard for me to relate to. Not because those things aren't happening to my body (they are), it's just I don't have any children to show for it. I saw a woman in the grocery store after Thanksgiving who looked 7mos pregnant with full head of gray hair. I thought shit that could be me. It probably will be me, b/c if I ever get past the first trimester my color will surely run out and the grays will take over. So I'm sad because I find it harder and harder to relate to my friends that are my age. They all have children which dominates their lives. I have my quest for a child which is not quite the same.

Why does this have to weigh so heavily on my mind and heart, and live so closely on my sleeve? I feel myself cringe when others speak of their grandchildren and how blessed they are. I cringe when I see the pregnant bellies in the store. Luckily right now there aren't any in my work place. Outwardly I smile with them, but on the inside I cry "it's not fair!". Since I have stopped taking Zoloft I notice I tear up very easily, but also I seem to recover quickly. So I haven't gone back to daylong uncontrollable crying, just little jags throughout the day. The holidays will be tough, but then again they always are.

I know I separate myself more and more from my friends as they lap me again with their second children. It's just a constant reminder of what is missing in our lives. I have a favorite aunt and uncle who don't have children. I've never asked them why not, they always seem so happy and they are always doing exciting things. I sometimes think maybe that could be me, I could be like Aunt Joan. I could ride a Harley and travel extensively. I don't know about the Harley part, but she is really cool and has saved my butt many times. They were my surrogate parents while I was in college and far away from mine. I could be the cool aunt. But that just doesn't seem like enough.

4 comments:

Meg said...

The only meaning I could make out of having to wait and watch like a wall flower while everyone had their first and seconds was that maybe this was the area I had to work hard at. I am not so sure I would want to go back and have an easy, smooth time having babies. I think differently and I will cherish my children (hopefully) in many new ways.

You will be a mom and when you get there, you will be an amazing one.

Grad3 said...

Meg is right-- you will have a family if that's what you want. And you will be a fantastic mom. Your experience gives you insight that most never have. It's a curse and a blessing.

I had all the same feelings. And your right, it is unfair. The holidays make it even worse.

I wish I could give you hug--- you can do this. ~Hugs~

Grad3 said...

I will gladly share my title and you can have the crown- just let me know when you would like me to whack people for you ('cause I will gladly do it!)

Stacey said...

amylynn,
Thanks for the comment you left on my blog. I'm glad to have found you. I can relate to every single word you have written on this post.

With each passing year of dealing with RPL (I also have had 6 losses) I feel less and less connected with my friends, and oh yes I definitely feel like I've been lapped a few times!

I just wanted to say I'm sorry you've been through this and you're not alone.