Changes

So... it's been 3 months since I miscarried and it's been a tough 3 months (in case you couldn't tell in my postings... haha). At the time, you know you're sad and depressed but it just becomes the norm for you. Looking back, it was like there was a black cloud hanging over my head for 3 months. The black cloud has began to dissipate, but I know it's still partially there.

My friend Tiffany lent me this book called "Mourning the Child I Never Knew." The author discusses how she mourned all 3 children: 2 miscarriages in early pregnancy, and 1 she carried to birth, who passed away shortly thereafter. She speaks of all 3 pregnancies like they are all her children, and it has really helped confirm what I feel: that my pregnancy was real and I lost a child. Some women may not look at it that way, and that's fine. I do, and it's nice to find out that I'm not actually crazy, haha. What I've been reading in this book is that everything I have been feeling (even though I've felt completely alone and the only person in the world who feels this way) is normal and that other women feel that way also. What a relief!! I read this one paragraph about how the author felt like no one understood her pain, no one knew what to say, people thought it was no big deal what happened - it's not a REAL human until it takes its first breath - so people basically assume that it's time to get over it.

Anyways... it has felt SO GOOD to read that someone else in the world understands what I'm going through. Another friend forwarded me to a website in Calgary for women who have lost children or have miscarried: http://www.caringbeyond.com/ I have found that this website has helped a lot also. I think I am going to go to a meeting in September.

So this month, I decided to make some changes. I am sick of being depressed and sad and feeling sorry for myself that this happened to ME. I know God loves me and has a plan for me. There has to be something good that comes from this. There has to be: it says so in the bible.

So I created a bookclub in Strathmore. I am going to get back into the world. Since Ryan and I started trying to get pregnant over a year ago, I haven't taken any time to meet people in Strathmore. I kept thinking I'd get pregnant right away and meet other pregnant women in Strathmore and it'd be so easy! Well... that didn't happen and I turned around last week to realize... I have no friends!!! None! And I don't invite my close girlfriends out to Fairview because I think it'll put Ryan out! BTW... he'd be fine. He'll survive, haha.

I hope this book club pans out and I meet lots of women in Strathmore. So far we're at 14!! And it's only been like 3 days since I started it! And I'm going to join a Life Group at my church - meet some women at my church. And now that I'm working from home 4 days/week, I'm going to drive into the city more often and see people. I can't do it ALL the time (hello, gas prices!), but I should do it more often.

No more me being a hermit!! I am going to work out more - get back the body I had a year ago (umm... I kinda let myself go there for a bit thinking "ahh, I'll get pregnant right away so who cares?). I am going to call family more often. I am going to see more people. I am going to go out for dinner more often. I am going to wear more makeup - make myself feel beautiful. I am going to try not stressing about things. I am going to take Bauer for more walks. I am going to smile more. I am going to cry less. I am going to watch less tv, and read more books. I am going to work in my garden and make it something to be proud of. I am going to plant a lilac bush. And.... I am going to pray everyday that God teaches me to be happy with my life, even though it's not working out the way I'd like. And... if someday I become pregnant... I will be grateful but also know that a child is a gift from God - and I will love it more than I can imagine.

Amen.