December so often brings feelings of doom and gloom in those of us suffering from infertility or living without children. Family celebrations are so often part of the season, and so difficult for many of us. December for me too brings anniversaries. My two pregnancies happened in December – the surprise, the joy, the anticipation closely followed by heartbreak, and in my second pregnancy, six months of procedures and bleeding and fear I’d never be able to even try to conceive again.
I realised this last week, as I saw the pohutukawa begin to bloom on the 13th anniversary of finding out I was pregnant for the very first time, that I can remember without pain. A slight twinge and sigh of regret is all that hits me, and that is also mixed with the fact that my late father would have celebrated his 86th birthday in early December too.
Oh, I know I could plunge
myself back into remembering the pain and the fear and the shock, and rather
than just remembering, I could so easily relive these feelings. But I don’t need
to do that, and most significantly, I don’t have to fight my brain to stop
myself doing that anymore. Remembering simply and peacefully is now possible; I find there is
a beauty, a calm, and even a gratitude to it.
I am glad. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about my losses. Still, I'm glad to have such a great role model.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I am in awe of you!
ReplyDeleteThinking of the pohutukawa from this far away makes me a bit emotional (in 2003 there were fears for it to become endangered?).
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons December is a special month...! have a good one this year.
Pohutukawa certainly isn't endangered now. It's being planted in areas now where it didn't occur naturally - Wellington is covered in it!
DeleteThat is beautiful: holding your memories instead of having your memories hold you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the memories aren't as sharp as they once were, and you can reflect on the journey that brought you to where you are today without suffering those emotions again.
ReplyDeletecatching up on my blog reading, and after my post yesterday - it feels good to read this one. as i know i'm not alone and that, it does get better. it continues to get better and the pain lessens. thank you for the lovely comment on my blog yesterday - it was just what I needed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. It is hope for peace in one's mind and heart someday.
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