Thursday, April 8, 2010

Thankful Thursday

On a regular basis I try to stop what I'm doing and think about how lucky am, and how great my life is aside from IF. Ceejay did a post recently that reminded me it's been a while since I said those things out loud. So here it goes:
  • Being on a break: As batshit crazy as that sounds, I am so incredibly thankful that we had no money therefore were forced to take this break. Okay, I'm not thankful that we don't have any money for A.R.T., but I really think this break was much needed, and so difficult to see through my BFN haze. It's really been a good thing for me, and my marriage. There is a certain freedom that comes with not knowing what cycle day you're on. Almost like being a normal person. Well "normal" is relative, but you know what I mean.

  • My Husband: My husband who works so incredibly hard to keep the dollah billz flowing in even through this horrible recession. Being a small business owner is no piece of cake these days, yet somehow he's still managing to keep his shit together. Even outside of his business, he's been working incredibly hard to make things better in our marriage. The last eight months have been really challenging for us maritally speaking. Not all the time or everyday. And not to the point where either of us started making other plans. On the worst days though it seemed like not wanting a divorce, was the only thing we had in common. While we're not quite finished, I'm overjoyed to tell you that after a fair amount of couples therapy and a lot of hard work, we're doing much better. I don't mean that to sound like he was the only one who had work to do. This blog should be all the evidence you need to prove I've got my own brand of crazy. Marriage is work. And sometimes, it's a lot of work. And not something you as a couple can handle alone. Which leads me to my next bullet point.

  • Therapy: Alone, together, WHATEVER. I think everyone should have a therapist. We're all a little crazy and if you think you're not, well let me tell you something: The really crazy people- don't know they're crazy. And even if you might not need it now, you should consider it someday. My final word: All ttc and no therapy makes Melissa want to climb up on to a rooftop with a semi-automatic weapon.

  • Humor: If we weren't laughing, we'd be crying right? Truer words were never spoken my friends. By the way, the last two sentences in my previous bullet point WERE A JOKE, and I hope I didn't offend anyone, but come on people, you know you've been there too. I digress. What I was going to say is that I've lost count of the amount of times I've come a cross a blog post put up by some of you out there that has completely disarmed me, and left me with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. And I'm so, so grateful to know it's out there.

  • The Internet: I don't even want to think about where I'd be, had I not found this community. Endless resources, and endless support. I love the Internet.
  • Wei.ght Wat.chers: I'm down another 0.8 lbs. Not what I hoped for, and I'm trying not to beat myself up for such a lame-o drop, but I guess it's better than gaining.

  • Friends, fertile or not: Through this hardship I have learned a lot about my friends, and especially what kind of friend I want to be from now on. I've met some amazing people in the IF community. Ones that I hope to know and keep in contact with for the rest of my life. And my IRL friends, fertile as most may be. There are a select few of them that have been absolutely incredible. The awesome ones know of and have access to this blog. The rest of them can suck it. Just kidding. The rest of them just don't get it, and I won't hold that against them because I wonder what kind of friend I would have been had the situation been reversed. I like to think I would have not been a complete asshole, but you never know. Oh, and I'm not completely out of the IF closet, so some of them just don't know about our problem. Though we've been married for almost seven years, so I'm sure they're wondering. P.S. one of my very good IRL friends is going to do a guest post very soon, so stay tuned!

Okay, that's not EVERYTHING I'm thankful for, but those are the first few things that floated in to my teeny tiny brain....

What are you thankful for?

19 comments:

Rach said...

Great list!! Breaks are a relief even though they suck. We've been on one since January.

T said...

There are so many things I am thankful for! At this very moment I am so thankful for all of my blog friends. My 25 followers...that is my therapy. I was in a very dark place before I started blogging. Now in those dark moments I know I have a place I can go, please that KNOW me and what I am going through! For that I am thankful for all of them and for you!!

Katie said...

You are so funny! I love your humor and attitude! Being on a forced break for us for 3 months last year sucked, but was amazingly good all at once...I can totally relate. I'm glad you have a husband who is willing to go to therapy with you...consider yourself a lucky girl!!! Glad to hear all is well!

Lisa said...

I like your thankful list.

I'm really thankful for the wonderful ladies like you've that I've gotten to meet during all this IF heartache -- you all have kept me sane.

Thanks for being a friend, Melissa, and can't wait to see you tomorrow night!

ps - I met so many ladies who had IF therapists and made this mental note to myself: Get therapist once you do IVF. It was one of the best things ever!

Jessica said...

I love the list.

I am thankful for the IF blogging community too and some of the IF girls I have met IRL.

Ceejay said...

I'm happy that I've been able to spread my gratitude a little :). I'm also really happy to hear about the progress you're making with the therapy and the hard work you're putting into your marriage. It's soooo important! It breaks my heart to hear about couples whose marriages have been destroyed with IF. And I agree that everyone should go through some kind of therapy or counseling at some point in life.

Spit Happens said...

What a wonderful post! I think it's a great thing when you can really reflect on all the good things in life even when things are hard. I admire your sense of humor despite all you've been through and your strength. You are an amazing woman and a wonderful friend! And even though you've had hard times, your marriage is a great example of working through it even when life gets complicated and throws you curve balls. You are a wonderful, beautiful couple, and that just shows even more what great parents you will make someday.

R.J. said...

I totally agree with the statement about TTC making you want to get on a rooftop with a semiautomatic. And I'm j/k too :) But really ... I agree.

I'm thankful for my big crazy family and my awesome hubby. He is sooo good at knowing how to talk me down from the ledge.\

I've been thinking of you and I'm so glad to hear you've found some peace and contentment. You'll know when the time is right to board the crazy train again. But those BFNs do a number on you (and me as well).

Jamie said...

Awesome post and good for you to take some time to write about what you are thankful for in your life, even if the list is not complete. I would totally agree that therapy is great and empowering--especially when you find the right fit. I had to laugh when you made the comment that it is those who don't know they are crazy, are the REALLY crazies. But great to hear it is working for you. I am also happy to hear you and Brian are having more good days and you are spot on that marriage is work. It sounds like you are both taking that work seriously and putting in the effort. And I agree about being thankful for friends and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to meet you!

Keep on being awesome!

P.S. Good for you for your WW loss this past week. Don't discount it if you feel it is small because it all adds up. Plus, the Easter bunny has been leaving all kinds of goodies all over the place!

Jessica said...

Nice post. :) WORD to therapy, it's kept me out of a few bell towers myself. xoxo

Jessica said...

Lol at the semiautomatic...I've been feeling like doing that a lot lately! Cudos to you and your hubby for the therapy...I am actually taking your advice from awhile back and we are trying to get an appt. set up with a therapist associated with our clinic later this month!

And GOOD FOR YOU on the weight loss...keep it up girlie! Thanks for doing this post...it's hard to remember that we are all blessed in other ways.

P.S. my word verification below is "belly"...wth? Even blogspot is trying to make me a little crazier! ;)

quadmom said...

I am thankful I read this entry this morning. I needed to be reminded of all the good things in my life. It just goes to show you that no matter how discouraged you feel, this amazing IF community is always out here offering support.

I agree with you about therapy -- we are all a little bit crazy, that's for sure -- it can help anyone even in good times.

Anonymous said...

Oh ha ha ha! You completely had me laughing at your mention of lack of therapy causing you to climb on rooftops. I agree, a good therapist is AMAZING. I think heaps of people get put off because they get a dud therapist that they don't click with but once you find that perfect match its life altering, in a good way.
You have a lot of things to be thankful for, and I wanted to also say congrats on the weightloss, you are doing great.

Rambler said...

I'm thankful I found your blog and read this entry that reminds me to be in love with the non-IF puzzle pieces of my life.

And totally LOLing at the phrase "dollah billz". Love it.

MelissaP05 said...

Awesome post! You know what I'm thankful for? YOU!! Hope you have a great weekend. Love you.

lastchanceivf said...

I love gratitude posts. It's hard, in the midst of IF, to be grateful for other things but those other things are MEANINGFUL and special and worth recalling often.

It is also so nice to be on a break!

JourneyGirl & JourneyMan said...

Great post, I love the attitude of gratitude - it is fabulous!

Lost in Space said...

I always love a good gratitude post to keep things in check. I tend to be more leary of those who have never been in therapy because let's face it everyone one is pretty screwed up on some level.

Today I'm thankful for rain so I have an excuse to not finish weeding. LOL. I'm also thankful for friends in the bay area that I hope to meet in a few months. (-;

Once Upon A Time said...

Love the list- your positivity is inspiring.