Body Talk

No, it's not Olivia Newton John, it's just little old me. I hadn't planned on posting tonight, but since when does my life go according to plan?  Um, never. 

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week, so I just thought I've give a little nod to my ladies who aren't given a choice on whether or not they can have kids. 


I, for one, am a Fertile Myrtle.  I could be Michelle Duggar if I really wanted to.....hey, I said if.  I'm sure if she got wind of this blog, she'd think I'm just another Kentucky whack job who's had too much Mountain Dew.  All I'd really need to do is remind her that she's from Arkansas.   But I digress. 
I can't recall specific dates, or times, or people, but there have been instances where I've heard the condescending version of "just think of all the women who can't have kids and want them so much." Yeah, I know.  I have friends in that very position, and I believe the gift of surrogacy is one that demonstrates pure, unconditional, selfless love.  But it's not a gift I can give.  I would if I could, but there are too many factors and risks for me personally. 

Some of you know that I was raised in a Southern Baptist home -- everything was the devil except God, basically.  Sure, some elements of my faith remain, but this is one area that raises questions for me.  If bearing children is woman's lot in life, if it's our solemn duty, why were some women created with the inability to bear them?  If our sexual purpose is to procreate, then why can't everyone?  Why are some men sterile?  Why do women have PCOS and ovarian cancer and hysterectomies at young ages?   Why are there hermaphrodites?  

I'm not asking these questions to raise a "Religion vs. Science" debate, because honestly, I'm not well-versed in either subject to consider going there.  I'm asking these questions because they relate to my cause.  You see my point?

Children don't define women.  They did a long time ago, and I believe it's still a fight for mothers to keep their own identity after they have children.  They stop being "Robin" and start being "Stuart's Mom."  People need to be aware of their surroundings.  I hate the word "sensitive" because it implies that we have to walk on eggshells, which is the LAST thing we need in society, but we need to learn that women are okay for who they are, whether they have kids or not.  Nobody knows the full story, ever.