GRATEFUL > DISHEARTENED
Wholehearted
Y’all. Let me just start by saying this – typing the words ‘thank you’ will never feel adequate. The response we received after Thursday’s post has been completely overwhelming in the best way. I’ve always felt a sense of relief after sharing my heart with you, but shortly after I hit ‘publish’ on that post, J asked me how I felt. I quickly told him it was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I could breathe in deeper than I have in a while. Not only deeper, but lighter air. From my insides to my out, I just didn’t feel as heavy, and I knew it was the right thing.
A couple of days leading up to our anniversary, I questioned whether or not I should center what should’ve been such a celebratory day around infertility, but, the two go hand in hand. When I sat down to write an anniversary post, it was like I couldn’t go deeper than that post that was already sitting in draft mode. I didn’t have the emotional capacity. Again, we want you to get all of us – the things we celebrate and the heartbreak we feel. That’s really what life is about – getting from one season to the next and mustering the strength to see the good in all of it. That’s exactly what you did for us. You lifted us up with your words, in prayer, and with your support and you have no idea how much it means to J and I both.
After Thursday’s post, we cooked dinner in, and sat down reading through comment after comment, email after email, and scrolling through endless DMs. Your stories and you opening your hearts to us in return, was heart-wrenching. So many of you could relate, most with beautiful outcomes, some like us, still trying, and others that simply encouraged us. We toasted to 10 years – our love for each other, what’s to come for our family, and this stepping-stone to get there that made our night so special. YOU made our night so special. On Friday, we celebrated with our family + friends. We all gathered in the most beautiful venue, overlooking the mountains + the sunset, and danced the night away. There was a moment that night that J and I took a step back, looked out over all of the people who were there to celebrate us + love us, and we felt so grateful. We thought to ourselves – these are our people. The ones we get to do life with and they’re all such a big part of our story. Now and in what’s to come. Thankful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
After the weekend and celebrating endlessly, we knew the week ahead was going to be a big one. At some point this week, we would find out if round 2 of 3 worked. All we knew was – we’ve done everything we possibly could. We’ve prayed without ceasing, shared our hearts, and checked every box on the list. On Monday night, my body fought back, letting me know it didn’t work. For whatever reason, God said not yet.
For the last two days, I’ve wanted to write this post, letting you know how grateful we are. However, sometimes when you’re broken, you just have to sit in silence and feel it. J and I always try to be intentional about feeling the heartbreak, but not allowing ourselves to live there. We took a couple of days – gave ourselves a little grace and wrapped our minds around the disappointment. Again. We feel helpless, frustrated, and confused. But today, we’re moving on. We’ll try again and take courage in believing that it’s still not our time.
A few weeks ago, a sweet friend of mine told me in seasons of struggle, start each morning by writing down a few things you’re thankful for. Although I’m immensely grateful for my husband, the roof over our heads, etc, I’ve tried to go deeper and really pull out some of the day-to-day details that I’m grateful for, rather than the generics. Let me tell you – it’s soul healing. Starting the day off with an attitude of grace, reminding yourself you have more than you deserve, and simply feeling small is such a beautiful thing. If you’re like me, and trying to navigate through highs and lows – whatever they may be, I encourage you to shift your mindset and start the day on a high note. The lows will inevitably come and often times they’ll bring you to your knees, but at the end of the day, it’s such a sweet reminder to praise before your breakthrough. It’s not always easy and the last two days, there wasn’t an ounce in me that wanted to do it, but I did.
I’m choosing to be grateful over disheartened.
Round three, here we go – we know He finishes what He starts.
We love you,
J + Meg
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Neutral. Classic. Feminine.
I mean I could not love your posts more.. I think we all get caught up in the next steps but you have reminded me to be conscious of the present and what I have in life. Thank you for sharing everything you are going through. I think almost everyone can relate to this and be encouraged in whichever stage of life they are in. Happy thoughts for round 3!
The road you’re on is such a tough one. I know because I have walked it for 5 years. It is physically, emotionally, and spiritually an endurance battle that evolves, but doesn’t necessarily get easier as time goes on. I think it’s easy to underestimate the heart work required and the fortitude it takes to keep going, one day at a time. Yet I couldn’t agree more with you that the very best support to lean on IS gratitude. It’s the first weapon to fight the unanswered questions that arise. We cannot often know the why, but we can still believe in the depths of the Father’s love and the goodness of his timing. He is writing your story like no one else’s, and it is beautiful. He promises us that our times are in his hands!
Oh Meg, if I could hug you right now, I would. So please accept this hug through our computer screens. ::hug::
I’m glad you both took time for yourself to feel your emotions. It’s easier to process a difficult situation like this than to ignore it or blow right past it.
I want to remind you of something. You’ve traveled a lot and have seen some of the most beautiful places this world offers. Remember, if He can do all of that, He can do this. Praying for you both. x
I’m fairly new to your blog, but have been following your cottage account on IG. I just wanted to send you a hug for what you have endured, and are now enduring. God will never give you more than he knows you can carry ♡. This may or may not be helpful, but you are the 4th woman I’m aware of that has had a difficult time getting pregnant that has/had thyroid issues. My brother and SIL, as well as 2 cousins have struggled with this exact issue. All tests say there is no reason they can’t conceive, but all 3 of them have hypo/hyperthyroidism. There is little research on the topic, but it might be something to look into. I wish you great success on your journey to parenthood, and wish you abundant blessings through it all ♡