Bodies Exhibit

The national Bodies exhibit has hit Seattle, and last week Jon and I decided to check it out. I didn't really know what to expect, and although I think the admission fee was steep it was a very interesting experience.

One of things that hit me as we were leaving was the complexity and interrelated nature of the thousands of things that work together so seamlessly everyday. I don't understand how anyone can walk out of seeing this and NOT be convinced that a Creator designed us. The body is simply too impressive to conclude anything else.

The impression Jon got was similar, but from a different perspective. The veins and blood vessels were dyed in the exhibit to give you a sense of how large and expansive this system is. When colored, some of these end up looking like a fern or a tree. Again, it reminded him (and me) of how God created both nature and our bodies, so it would make perfect sense that similar elements, albeit on a microscopic level inside our body, would be the same. Our creator has a wonderful imagination.

Sometimes it is a good reminder for me that God is in charge of all of these HUGE, epic things because often times I forget this and just think of Him on a more personal level. It is very Job-esque to be reminded that He created the universe and everything in it. When I think of this, I am reminded that I need to trust God because He knows more than I EVER will.

Let's Get Real

I read something weeks ago that I have tried to forget and let go. But it has stayed with me, and I want to get this off of my chest.

A blog author said there was a need to "tiptoe around the infertile and childless."

This person missed the point entirely.

Infertility is an issue that some people face, just as you and everyone else has issues God has given you to struggle with. Hopefully people ask you how you are doing with your issues and you respond, happy to have someone to share with. I believe that is all most people stuggling with infertility ask as well. We don't want to be forgotten about because you might find it awkward. (Get over yourself!) Your silence on this issue that can consume our life makes us feel isolated and alone. Please don't tiptoe, but be there to pray and listen, when we want to share.

And while I'm at at....nowhere in the Bible does it say that you are less of a human or woman if you are childless. Nowhere does it say you aren't a family if there are only two people. In fact, when Adam and Eve were joined together they were complete. Churches already make it hard for couples without children because there is little support for this issue and most ministries for those over 30 center around children and families.

So please stop tiptoeing around and be a friend.

And now I will get off of my soapbox.

Can Hollywood Get it Right Some of the Time?

Let's face is...most of the time Hollywood gets it wrong. Rachel and Monica's NYC apartment is huge and their salaries wouldn't have covered the heating bill in winter, you can't blow up a giant meteor heading towards Earth, and just because you build a baseball field doesn't mean ghosts of baseball past will appear. I guess these examples are lighthearted things, whereas infertility is heavy stuff. I would think Hollywood would be more genuine when they approach this.

I was wrong...mostly.

My Mom wanted to see a movie on her birthday while we were in town, so everyone went over to the Scottsdale 101 to see "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. I know, what were we thinking?!? (But that's another discussion entirely). :)

The audience comes to learn that the couple struggled with infertility which led to stress in their marriage (duh!) and eventual unfaithfulness by both parties (not the best response). The heated conversation about the strain in their marriage was pretty much spot on: hormone injections that make the wife go nuts, timed intercourse which takes the fun out of sex, numerous doctors appointments, financial strain. However, it's Hollywood so they have to make everything OK. In the end of the movie (spoiler alert here) the plot jumps ahead six months. We find Sarah and Hugh getting off a plan with their lovely new daughter they just adopted from overseas. Then, we find out after they move into their new 3,000 sq. ft. apartment in NYC that she's got the cutest little baby bump. WHAT?

For anyone who has tried to adopt a child, they know it can take YEARS, not six months from start to finish. And don't even get me started on the whole pregnancy thing. It just felt fake and lame and made me upset. I think movies like this cheapen the experience that people go through who are childless and want to expand their family. It just reeks of total stupidity.

But remember when I said that I was wrong...mostly...about Hollywood? I thought I'd end on a high note.

Last night I watched Julie and Julia with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. For those of you who have seen the movie you might recall a scene in the movie that hinted at Julie Child's struggle with infertility. Julia receives a letter from her sister, and while reading it to herself she has to sit down while she calls over her beloved husband. She tells him, through tears, that her sister (who recently got married) is pregnant and says while crying, "I'm so happy for her." As soon as these words were said I started crying as well because I can so relate to these emotions that Hollywood portrayed accurately. It is a mixture of heartache and happiness when you hear those words from a friend. They might not come by letter anymore (Facebook, e-mail, and phone calls have replaced this form of communication), but little else has changed when these moments occur.

But did you know there was another scene, at the beginning of the movie, that hinted at this issue? Those that don't know the pain of infertility probably never noticed it. But it was loud and clear to me. Julia is walking in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral with her husband as a young woman passes with a baby stroller. Julie Child looks back at the pair, longingly, and her husband does the perfect thing in response: kisses her hand in a knowing way to support her. The whole scene probably took five seconds and was over in a flash, but it was loud and clear to me. I believe this is also an accurate experience for people who have felt these same longings.

The thing I loved about this movie was that it reminded me that Julia Child didn't let this desire overwhelm her life. She tried new things, found passions, and seemed by all accounts to love life and people. I think this was a great message for anyone, struggling with anything, to see.

So Hollywood is 1 for 2. I'm happy that, at least recently, they are running at a 50% success rate.