Hey, girly-pop….

So, one random day and an even more random conversation with a teenager, I was introduced to the term “girly-pop”. Today’s teenagers most definitely have their own language that good ‘ol Webster ought to write a whole separate dictionary for – don’t cha think?

Being a mom is something I have always wanted….in fact, I wanted to have a ton of kids but that wasn’t written in my story. Instead, my story was about the struggle to become a mom! Let me tell you….infertility is no joke, ladies and gentlemen!! It takes a toll on a woman’s body, mind, and soul. Obviously, I cannot speak to what a man experiences with infertility – but I can speak about the toll it takes on a couple! Luckily, the Dude and I worked as a team in this endeavor to become parents – we didn’t always do the team thing but we did with the creation of the teenager! And for that I will always be grateful.

When a woman hears “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you will never be able to get pregnant” something in her soul dies – okay, okay, wait – let me preface this with when a woman wants children as much as I did! I couldn’t walk down the baby aisle in the store – hated to be around my friends who got pregnant just looking at a man! You feel a sense of inadequacy, a sense of your body having failed you, less of a woman (almost). It is a pain that burns your being…but you live with it, you accept it, and you just go through life.

Well, here it is almost time for my little blastocyst to graduate high school and I am reflecting on her as a baby, her childhood, her teenage years. I am filled with excitement, joy, and hopefulness for her future. I am also filled with sadness because I will never be in the kitchen and have this human growth attached to my foot, looking up at me with her toothless smile, as I try to maneuver. I am filled with a deep love for this child who has grown into a beautiful young woman with her whole life ahead of her!

So, take a moment and listen to the girly-pop and reflect on the gift you have been given in the form of a child. Cherish each memory and look forward to the future….because remember you’ve only been given ONE LIFE….don’t screw it up by focusing on all the wrong things!