Riding The Bench (Blame It On the Olympics)

Good Morning Humble Readers...

As the ol' witch (that would be AF) is packing her bags, and I'm still buzzing from the Canadian women's hockey team's gold medal win last night, I can say that the dark cloud that decended almost two weeks ago is starting to break up and the sun in shining through again. 

Literally, and figuratively.

And it's so much easier to be a happy hobbit when the sun is shining. 

So, this morning when I read Minta's post about feeling guilty about celebrating her pregnancy (and about bemoaning the physically difficult and painful aspects of it), I couldn't help but have a bit of a grin on my face. 

Before I continue, I should reiterate that this hobbit hasn't ever really been one for team sports, and I certainly could live the rest of my life and never watch another NHL, CFL, or NBA game on tv ever again.  I love the olympics, but once every four years is plenty for me. 

All that said, I couldn't help it when a very bad sports metaphor came to mind as I read Minta's post. 

We're a team.  All of us IFers, and our irl support networks.  We work together, sharing information and support, caring for each other when we fall, and striving towards our shared prize, building our families. 

We all want that chance to play in the big game, to have our time on the field/ice, to have a chance to score that big goal... of bringing a baby into our lives.

But we all don't get to play at the same time. 

Some of us are stuck riding the bench for longer than others.  Yes, we can get frustrated when we feel we've been waiting for our turn for a long time, BUT that doesn't change the fact that we are still cheering on those who are getting to play.

The only thing that makes riding this bench bearable is seeing fellow IFers playing their hearts out and succeeding... getting that prize.  The prize that I know they long for just as much as me. 

So, to my teammates, my fellow journey-ers on this ever lengthening road, please, when you get the chance to play... PLAY!  Enjoy yourselves!  And if you twist an ankle or get checked into the boards (lame metaphors, sorry), it's okay to moan, it's okay to take some time to nurse your wounds.  I'll even offer you a virtual ice pack, and help you back to your feet.

And listen for the sounds of us, still on the bench, cheering you on!  When you score that goal, we'll all come running, clearing the bench to hoist you on our shoulders, celebrating your victory. 

(told you it was a terrible metaphor)