My Grandma sends me a subscription to Ladies Home Journal every year. Isn’t that cute? Sadly, I usually slack off on reading it because my US Weekly magazines are just so much more juicy. I mean, who is Sandra Bullock eating lunch with? Are Madonna and Gwyneth really fighting? Who is Kate Hudson humping dating this week? These are questions I need answers to on a weekly basis. And since US Weekly is a weekly magazine, my monthly Ladies Home Journal editions get put to the bottom of the pile. After a while, they get crinkled and dusty, or I use them as coasters and they get those wet cup rings all over. Sometimes my kids mistake them for coloring books and all the words end up scribbled over, and I just throw it away recycle it without even reading. But not the June issue! I’ve already read it cover to cover, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Even without the celeb gossip and polls about who looked better in the same Marc Jacobs dress.
There was an article on Laura Bush’s autobiography which included a few excerpts from her book. One of the excerpts really touched me. (I’m being serious now). Did you know that Laura and George W. struggled with infertility before having their twin girls? I never knew, or at least, never paid attention. Anyway, I really like what she has to say about it.
The English language lacks the words “to mourn an absence.” For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful, some not. Still, we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I am sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent, ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?
Wow. For anyone who has ever been in that situation, I wonder if you relate to that as much as I did.
Side note: For those who don't know, it took me 6 dark years to conceive my twin girls, who are now 5 years old. They are my sunshine. (awwww!)
9 comments:
Don't make me have warm, sympathetic feelings for Laura Bush. It will destroy my world view.
Seriously, though, infertility stories break my heart. It just seems so cruel and unfair for some people to want children so badly and be denied, while accidental/teen pregnancies happen all the time.
AWWW! I got all choked up at YOUR girls!!! ANd who knew she could be such a good writer? Huh. She should blog :)
Oh and yah. I'm with Nikol on that. What next? Warm fuzzies for Elizabeth Hassleback??
Acknowledging grief is always such a tricky thing.
Your girls are beautiful!
I wonder if Nikol can totally relate to Laura Bush. You know, Cuz they're both like 65ish.
WHo knew you had a wife?!?! Is that like the NEW New Mormon movement? Where the husbands AND wives can EACH get more wives?!
Sister wives for everyone!
They're cheaper than Teen Slaves!
I love Laura Bush. She's the exact definition of a lady.
I agree with Laura and Kristina. Acknowledging grief is tricky. Especially when the grief is based on something that hasn't happened, rather than something that has.
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