I just got an e-mail from my mom saying that the last of my extended relatives who were invited to my Michigan shower has rsvp'd - no. None of them are coming. I will excuse two who have legitimate excuses....I do not expect my Aunt and cousins to drive/fly from North Carolina for a baby shower. I also do not expect my grandmother who is desperately trying to recover from the shingles and has had a really miserable time for the last 6 months, to travel to attend. She could not physically do it. However, the others are offering lame or no excuses at all.
Originally, this made me very, very sad. (Okay, I had bit of a break-down...) I suppose that I am reading more into it than there may be. However, usually, my family is really good at attending the major events. This is as major as it gets for me. I just get the feeling that they are not coming because they are uncomfortable or do not approve and that just makes me sad.
While I am still sad, this whole thing got me to thinking about the wonderful people we DO have in our lives. When I was trying to come out to my parents, my brothers and sisters were right there behind me. They were supporting me no matter what happened. The same is true with this baby - they have been so loving and awesome. I never would have thought when I was growing up and we were, quite literally, beating on each other that someday I would be leaning on them soooo much.
Alicia's family - who I was orignially so worried about - has been complete wonderful. Everyone is happy and excited, wanting to throw showers and constantly asking how I am doing. I expected them to be the apprehensive ones, but they have completely surprised me and I am forever grateful to them for being so open and accepting.
Last but not least - our "family" here in Indy (and other places across the country). We have so many friends who are counting our blessings as their blessings, who were with us through every SINGLE doctor's appointment, who sat through many a graphic discussion of.....procedure and who rejoiced with us when we finally were able to announce that we were pregnant! You all made the process so much easier and I am so excited that when our baby arrives you will all be a part of her life.
So, I guess although I am sad that my extended family is not embracing this as much as I would like, I am extremely grateful to everyone else in our lives who loves us and this baby. She is surely not going to exist in the world without plenty of people to love her.
Thank you.
5 comments:
As far as I'm concerned, we're creating ready-made friends. I even think my mom is as close to as excited for you guys as she is for me. She's always asking me for updates.
Don't worry too much about you're family. They'll come around eventually and if they don't, it is completely their loss!
On a sidenote, I am completely jealous of you already being finished with school. At this point, I'm not sure how I'm going to make it to Friday!
I'm sorry about your extended family but I'm glad you have so many others who can be there to support you.
I noticed a "her" at the end - it's a girl?!?
This baby might suffer from suffocation from so much love. What a blessing that will be! She has been so wanted, so prayed for, and with God's power and blessing behind her, her mere presence in a room will cause all to fall madly in love with her. (Hello, just like Chris and Shay!) Even if they don't seem to love her now, they will. And if they don't, it's their loss, because she's going to be an amazing miraculous soul. Those of us already in on the miracle, have begun the celebration already; some folks just may be a little late to the party. She's going to be overflowing with loving supportive family, whether the ones you've got by blood or by what you choose to be her family. Friends are the family you choose. But she is going to be blessed to be so loaded with both.
I got tears reading this. If your family is anything less than estatic about this baby, they are the ones missing out. You and Alicia are going to be amazing parents, and I can't wait until your little girl can play with mine.
Some side notes of my own--
Krysten - even though Shay will be older by about 10 months, can she still be part of the ready-made friend group?
Cathy - should I feel offended that you didn't include Bryn in your list of kids that people fall madly in love with? lol
No offense meant by the exclusion of Bryn. I just didn't personally pray for the miracle birth of Bryn like I prayed for Chris and Shay and baby La Sharp. Didn't know you then, or I would've.
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