Baby Showers
I have a confession to make.
Baby showers make me sad.
I know, joyous occasions like weddings and birthdays and yeah, baby showers, are supposed to make YOU happy too. You're just... supposed to be happy. It's that silent expectation or assumption.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for my friend or relative who's expecting. They're excited and they're happy, so I am too.
But then I get to thinking about how, this kid is getting brought into a messed up world by no choice of their own. None of us had a choice to be born, of course. I know.
If the baby is to be a girl the sadness triples, knowing first-hand the unique hardships and trials women in society face.
Some might say I think too much.
But it's how I feel and that's that.
"Everyone else at this baby shower seems so happy and smiley... What's wrong with me?" Is the thought that often comes along while I eat cake and people watch at these celebrations.
But how do I really know what people are thinking or feeling?
There could very well be someone else out there who feels a quiet anguish over this new child's life.
Again, to be clear, kids are cool and great, and good parents are a gift to this world.
My friends being happy means I'm happy for them.
Children are gifts.
But it would be foolish to disregard and forget about the troubles, struggles, and pain that are an inevitable part of life.
It would also be foolish to forget about all the joy and beauty and goodness life offers to us.
Yet I still feel how I do, and that may or may not change.
If this is you, know you're not alone.
Don't believe that you have to feel a certain way, at a certain time, in a certain place.
It's not silly to feel differently.
~See ya.
Baby showers make me sad.
I know, joyous occasions like weddings and birthdays and yeah, baby showers, are supposed to make YOU happy too. You're just... supposed to be happy. It's that silent expectation or assumption.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for my friend or relative who's expecting. They're excited and they're happy, so I am too.
But then I get to thinking about how, this kid is getting brought into a messed up world by no choice of their own. None of us had a choice to be born, of course. I know.
If the baby is to be a girl the sadness triples, knowing first-hand the unique hardships and trials women in society face.
Some might say I think too much.
But it's how I feel and that's that.
"Everyone else at this baby shower seems so happy and smiley... What's wrong with me?" Is the thought that often comes along while I eat cake and people watch at these celebrations.
But how do I really know what people are thinking or feeling?
There could very well be someone else out there who feels a quiet anguish over this new child's life.
Again, to be clear, kids are cool and great, and good parents are a gift to this world.
My friends being happy means I'm happy for them.
Children are gifts.
But it would be foolish to disregard and forget about the troubles, struggles, and pain that are an inevitable part of life.
It would also be foolish to forget about all the joy and beauty and goodness life offers to us.
Yet I still feel how I do, and that may or may not change.
If this is you, know you're not alone.
Don't believe that you have to feel a certain way, at a certain time, in a certain place.
It's not silly to feel differently.
~See ya.
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