Dear (Fertile) Friend,
I’ve had this letter on my heart for several months, but I wasn’t sure how to start it, what to say, or how to finish it. Thoughts have rolled around in my head while emotions have filled my heart. Before I begin, I want you to know that I am happy for you. Yes, I am EXTREMELY happy for you.
I don’t understand and never will what it’s like to not wait. Infertility is a struggle-a daily struggle. It’s the loss of a dream and an idea that you had for your life. My journey is much different from your journey. You see, I won’t know the joys of a “surprise” pregnancy, the emotions of an “oops” turned into the greatest joy or being able to “just try.” I won’t know what it’s like to surprise my husband with big news. I used to think that would be my story, but it isn’t.
I want you to know that the struggle is not just physical, it’s emotional. The emotions that surrounded your pregnancy will be very different from the emotions that surround mine. My journey has been long. Last month we started our sixth year of trying. Six years. Can you imagine waiting for six years? I don’t want you to have to imagine it. I don’t want you to have to endure it. It’s painful and it’s hard. For some six years is a long time, but there are others out there who have been waiting even longer than me. For the past five years, this journey has been a series of ups and downs, tests, procedures, medications, injections, and a roller coaster of emotions. You see infertility gets in your head and you can’t get it out. The “just don’t think about it and it will happen” doesn’t work. It’s always in the back of your mind and it rears it’s unrelenting head at every turn at every sight of a baby, toddler, child, and yes even a teenager. My heart longs for all of those milestones no matter how difficult you say they are. There isn’t one thing in the world that I want more than to add to our family and there isn’t anything more difficult than trying to make a family in the face of infertility.
So, yes I am jealous of you. I envy you and your beautiful family. And, working in a school I see the other’s that no one wants to talk about. The children who are unloved, taken for granted, and pushed aside. You know the children because like me you have cried at the news reports, you see them in your own child’s school, or in the park. The question “Why do they get a child and not me?” is always lingering. But, in both situations, you have what I want and for me, it’s always just out of my reach. But, more than my jealousy I’m sad for me, I’m sad for my husband, I’m sad for our parents, and I’m sad for our siblings because they see the hurt that this journey brings. So, when you share your big news I ask for a little grace, just a moment, and then I’ll be okay. I’ll be rejoicing with you and loving on your precious new baby. Please, remember I am really, really happy for you!
I want you to know I’m not always jealous, or envious, or sad. I am truly, truly happy for you. More days are filled with laughter and happiness than the negativity of infertility. It’s just this journey is tough. It’s long. It’s tiring. It’s just hard knowing that a lifelong dream is taking so long. You know that life plan that I had flew out the window several years ago.
I want you to know that your journey is a blessing and a gift. I want to remind you to be thankful that your story isn’t like my story. That even on your hardest days, I would trade places with you and there are millions of other hopeful moms and dads who would too. I can only imagine how tough it is with your #threenager and #meanager or whatever other titles, label, or hashtag you want to give, but in reality, I long for even your toughest days. The days are long, but the years are short. I want you to know that you’re doing a good job. You’re a great Mom and watching and listening to you is teaching those of us who are waiting. I know it has to be tough, but those precious babies are your blessing and I hope you take a moment to remember what a gift they really are even when it’s hard.
Our journeys will always be different. While I will never know, what it’s like to get pregnant when and how I want you will (hopefully) never know the wait and longing. I never thought my journey would include IVF. I never thought it would include days’ worth of shots, an egg retrieval, an Embryoscope, and more and more waiting. Foreign terms and procedures limited to those of us who are in that 1 in 8. So, I ask you to remember those of us who are still waiting for our blessing. Who month after month and year after year are told “not yet” and continue to wait for the month that will be our month.
I don’t know how hard it really is. No, I don’t know the struggles of motherhood. I know you’re tired, I see your struggles, and I hear your mumbles, but just remember you are the perfect mother for your children and you are doing a great job. It’s a job that I can’t wait to have and that so many others are dreaming of just like me. It is the hardest job in the world, but I would still do anything to be in your shoes.
Blessings,
P.S. If you’re a fellow infertility sister, I’d love to hear your story and add you to my prayer list. Infertility is lonely in a world full of babies so, it’s nice knowing you’re not alone.
straightmissteps.com 
Hello! My friend Ashley Barrett told me about your blog. I want to thank you for your openness and honesty. I have PCOS. I have such a severe case of it that I found out (after much testing and ultrasounds) that even with the most extreme fertility treatment it is impossible for me to get pregnant. My case is so bad that I can’t even “just try” to get pregnant because it’s dangerous for me to not be on some kind of birth control to regulate my cycle. I found out this last November that for sure I am unable to get pregnant. I have been and currently am dealing with a whirlwind of emotions. It seems like every woman I know is now pregnant. And you sharing your feelings has been such a blessing! How brave you are to talk about the way it feels. I have been feeling like a horrible person when I cry over a friend’s pregnancy announcement or sometimes have to leave the room when my co-workers talk about their kids. What you said is so true… it is a very lonely place to be. I feel like I am letting so many people down. My amazing husband, who has been my rock and so great through all of this, has wanted nothing more out of life than to be a father. He is an only child, therefore I am my mother-in-law’s only hope of having grand-kids. It’s lonely and hard being in that position. Your words are helpful and I am working on my relationship with God and learning to let go and trust that He has a better plan out there for me. So thank you. Thank you for sharing your story, for your bravery, and for your faith. You are wonderful! I will be praying for you as you continue your journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amber,
Thank you so much for all of your kind words! You will never know how much they mean to me. Ashley is a wonderful friend! She is the sister-in-law of my best friend and I followed her journey before I ever even knew I would one day walk the path of infertility. I can relate to the whirlwind of emotions and know the deep ache that comes from seeing another pregnancy announcement. I know how it is to have to leave a room, hang up a phone call, or opt out of a baby shower. There is no pain like praying, hoping, and begging for a baby that never comes. Infertility is such a lonely place, especially if you’ve never walked it. If you don’t understand the ache and the heartache it brings, you never truly can and it’s impossible to describe it to someone who hasn’t experienced it. I am the reason for our fertility issues, too. My husband is the only boy in his family and the last Heithaus. If we don’t have a son, the family name will end with him. His parents are wonderful and they’ve been so supportive of everything. They have never pressured us and I truly feel it’s because they see me struggle. It also helps that they have 9 other grandchildren. But, I know the pressure. When you’re body won’t do the one thing it’s designed to do you’re left feeling like a failure. I am lucky that Travis is an amazing husband, too. Without him, I’m not sure I’d be able to handle this journey. It has grown my faith and trust in God more than I could have ever imagined. I know He has a plan, but it’s often hard to understand what that plan is. And, in the midst of so much pain and heartache, it’s hard to imagine ever seeing the sunshine at the top of the mountain. But, I know if it weren’t for our precious Savior that I would not be able to smile through the tears of this journey.
I only recently started sharing our story and I’ve found so much comfort in knowing that even though I often feel alone I’m not the only woman struggling with infertility. Our stories may be different, but we’re praying for the same result. If you ever need someone to talk to, vent to, pray with, or cry with please, please, please get ahold of me! I know too well how it is to just need someone to listen to me who “gets it.” No advice, no judgements-just an ear of someone who understands a little of what you’re facing. I will be praying for God’s guidance, comfort, and peace for you and your husband and understanding and empathy for your family and friends. I have found a lot of comfort in this verse over the years and I hope it can bring you a little, too.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” -Isaiah 55:8-9
Sending you love and continued prayers on your journey.
Mitzi
LikeLike