Outing Myself

*****But first an apology*****

I know it's ICLW week, but lately I've been completely blank on anything to post. I'll write something that sounds like an interesting topic to post. I'll read it back and it ends up being complete rubbish. So I'm sorry to all the people from ICLW who have only had my greeting to read.

Now back to topic.

In light of National Infertility Awareness Week April 24-May 1 I decided that I would 'out' myself to my Facebook Friends about our infertility. I was encouraged to do so by Busted Kate of Busted Plumbing, who did this very brave thing on FB yesterday.

At first I was very apprehensive and couldn't see the good in doing so. Are you mad? I don't want to open myself up to MORE insensitive comments, MORE useless platitudes, MORE unhelpful advice. NO Thank you.

But the more I got to thinking about it. If I didn't out myself about our IF the perpetual cycle of insensitive comments, useless platitudes and unhelpful advice would continue to find me. At least by doing this one simple thing I can educate and inform.

I fretted about it for a few hours until I decided to just do it. But first I needed to make sure it would be okay with Michael. As this outing would be our outing not just mine. He told me to do it. I was scared to do this, but still determined.

Here is what I put as my status yesterday:

April 24-May 1 is National Infertility Awareness week. This week, I am not hiding the fact that we suffer from infertility. It has been a part of our lives for more than 6 years. Please don't tell us to relax. Please don't tell us there is a reason. Please don't tell us everything works in God's time. Instead, just say you're praying for us.

And I waited to see what being honest would do to me. I felt liberated...and slightly nauseous. What if this backfired on me? But nothing bad happened.

All the comments I've received have been great and supportive. One I got from my old pastor thanked me for being real. I thought that was the best one, because I'm not very real on FB, and putting this as my status was as real as I've ever gotten.

The absolute best was when I went on FB this morning and Michael put it on his status too. I really love that man of mine.