Ahem, ahem ... is this thing on?

Many thanks to Wendy from Our Story: A Blog about Adoption, IVF, and Infertility. I love this girl! She has had to endure so much pain and loss in her continuing battle to have children and yet she still shows up to work everyday and loves on other people's children - she's a teacher! And a great artist, I might add! I have been following her story closely for awhile now and I can say that I am so excited for her most recent step in family building - adoption. She has yet to be shy about the whole process ;-) and she has shared with the infertile community so much wisdom and support - I'm sure that is why she was given this award, and it is with honor that I accept it from her. Big hugs to you Wendy.

So it looks like there is an award going out for those who are speaking out and speaking up about infertility and I am truly honored to receive the award. I really feel like going through this struggle is an opportunity to be purposeful in pain, bringing this battle to the light - so I was excited to be recognized in something I have been trying so diligently to accomplish.

My family, my friends, most of my colleagues, my church, my neighbors, and even my dog has heard some truth about infertility from these lips (and from these finger tips!) I am adamant about getting the word out that infertility happens and it is painful; it shouldn't be taboo nor should the fertile continue to think that they "know best" when it comes to resolving infertility - no, relaxing will not cure menopause - yeah, hey it's a good idea, but it's been tried already, what else have you got? I risk my heart and my emotions as I wait to hear what someone might say in response to my telling them the truth of our situation ... in an effort to pave if even just a pothole on the road for many of the infertiles who will follow in our footsteps. (Sadly, there will be more).

I think the one thing that scares me, is so heavily identifying with being an infertile that I forget how to be normal. Seriously, I have gotten into character, I'm poised and ready to pounce at any insensitive movie line and I'd love to put one of those stick figure families on the back window of my SUV that depicts me, my husband, and our little dog all lined up in a row ... and in place of the typical title "Mommy's Taxi" I simply want to say "Infertility hurts" ... but DH isn't willing (who knows why??). So I think of that day, someway, someday ... when I will have children on earth to hold and I'm hoping that I can shake a lot of the bitterness and triggers and just enjoy my life once again. I may recover from being an "infertile" but I will never stop standing up for them. To me, that's why I got the award - I'm one sicko die hard.

On that note, I am proud to nominate my own crew of proud infertiles, regardless of whether or not they share this information in person or on their blog ... these ladies speak up and speak out:

Andrea at Bella and Her Fella

Elmojessi at One Small Wish

Tiffany at Our Slow Journey to Parenthood

Tara at Divine Secrets of the Infertility Sisterhood

Much love ladies and keep on sharing!!