Parenthood for Me held its first Adoption and Infertility Essay Contest. Thank you to all those that entered submissions. We need your help telling your stories to spread awareness.
I will be using the essay in my literature and on my website.
There are also 4 honorable mentions whose essays will also be included in informational packets I give out at events.
I am already planning my next contest. It may be more topic specific. Keep reading for details.
Here is the winning entry from To Baby and Beyond
Face of Infertility
1 in 6 women experience infertility. I AM that 1.
1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. I AM that 1.
But I’M NOT a statistic!
I’M a wife of a wonderful husband, who would make a great father! She wonders why he stays when she’s the one that is broke. Why should his dream be denied? I’m sorry for that.
I’M a daughter who would love to give her mother a grandchild. A daughter that loves her mother and knows she too is in pain because I’m in pain but there is nothing I can do about it. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a sister whose best friend is her sister. A sister who both times she heard “I’m pregnant” was happy for her but sad for herself. Who rejoiced over the birth of her nephews while on the inside thinking. “why can’t this be me?”. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a granddaughter who fears that her grandmother will never meet her great grandchildren. They will never know this strong woman that I know. I’m sorry for that.
I’M an Aunt who loves her nephews as if they were her own. Who hugs them tight because she remembers she was supposed to have one the same age and wonders what they’d be like.
I’M a Friend who needs her friends more now then ever before. I will love you and listen to you, but can’t come to every baby shower because it hurts too much. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a Woman who can’t do what women were born to do and my heart’s broken. A women who will comfort you, laugh and cry with you, but right now needs to do these things for herself. I’m sorry for that.
I’M the girl behind you in the checkout line buying a pregnancy test with excitement and dread because she knows it probably didn’t happen this month. If it did there is much that can go wrong. I’m worried about that.
I’M the person that cut you off on the road because my mind was racing because I wonder if the spotting I saw this afternoon was notice of impending doom. I’m sorry for that.
I’M your neighbor who doesn’t always seem friendly. I can’t always come over to your kids parties because it’s just too hard right now. I’m sorry for that.
I’M your patient. A patient whose happiness depends on the news you give her. If I react badly, it’s not a reflection of your abilities, it’s a reflection of my inabilities. I’m sorry for that.
I’m sad. I’m angry. I’m confused. I hurt. I cry. I yell. I make mistakes. I love. I laugh. I’m strong. I will heal. I will move one step at a time.
I WILL do all these things. I AM all these things.
I FEEL all these things because of the one thing that I’m NOT…a mother and I’m most sorry for that!
Honorable Mention Authors
“One Year Ago Next Week”- Jessica N.
An excellent choice!
Congrats to the winner! Great essay!
Great choice! I love it! Thanks for the comment!
wow…i don’t even know what to say. beautiful.
Just stopping in to welcome you to SITS. You are going to love this bloggy community and the women in the SITStahood!
That was a great essay!
I stopped by to welcome you to SITS! It’s great to have you as part of the SITStahood:0)
awesome essay….I could actually feel every emotion….
love your blog…thanks for this place to come……..
m 🙂
Wow – incredible. And this site is so wonderful. I wish it had been around for my SIL during her fight to become a mom.
Welcome to SiTS – Em
I love this post.
It feels like every point in it was written about me. I can definitely identify with this – especially the part about having your sis as your best friend, and loving your nephews as if they were your own children. I should have a child the same age as my younger nephew (age 6), and I was in the delivery room when he was born. Truly a bittersweet moment.
Anyway, great job!