Sunday, May 6, 2012

What is the worth of a conception?

Don't worry, I don't want to get into a debate about the worth of a person, or even what it will cost us to get a tiny person of our own (I keep a running tally in my mind but I'm going to need some paper and a pencil soon :) but I have lately decided to institute what I'm calling "Period Presents." 

Every 28-32 days I have a really really bad day.  At least I know it's coming and can prepare for it (stock the freezer with Ben & Jerry's and make sure I go for a run a day or so beforehand, etc.) but I still get really sad.  So I've decided to try to make this time of the month a little easier on me by buying myself something with the money that I'd otherwise be spending on a crib or a car seat.

For April I got myself a raclette cooker.  I went all out and got the granite top and everything.  For May I got myself a book (even though I'm not technically allowed to read any books this year that I didn't own on January 1, 2012), which I bought from our local, independent bookshop even though amazon had it for about half the cost.  The idea being instant gratification and supporting the local bookshop.  I called ahead and had them reserve the last copy they had.  When I stopped by to pick it up after work they had coupled it with volume 4 in a five volume series on President Johnson or Ford or something like that.  Since this was meant to be an inspiring book-buy I politely declined the latter.

I think my June present will be a bike, even though I haven't ridden a bike in years and I'm a bit scared of the prospect.  I like the idea of biking around town this summer.  So in my free time over the next few weeks I'll be bike shopping.  One month I may get a massage.  For another my present may just be a block of raclette cheese and the chocolate cake for 2 from here, except it will be for just me.  Once the husband is a big-time lawyer I'll add fancy vacations and expensive clothes to the list.  I've already warned him that I might come home one day with a shiny new car that is terribly non-sensible.  And I'll probably get a dog after we buy a house again (I've already decided that his name will be Beauregard and I'll call him Beau so I have to find a dog that looks like a Beauregard). 

I've found that I'm not the first to do this while dealing with infertility, and I hope that it brings me and the others who do the same thing, a little bit of comfort, at least for a short time.  Feel free to offer ideas but here's to hoping I don't make it too far down my list. 

4 comments:

Morgan said...

If I find myself down the same path, I told Kevin I am getting a vw bug convertible. Just for summers/good weather. It's not a replacement, but it symbolizes a type of freedom that I think I could learn to embrace. I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, I'm getting a bug!

Alissa said...

i think you should get an ebelskiver pan next. they're so yummy.

also, trips to visit the engs... sounds legit to me.

Wife of dastew said...

Morgan, I've decided that with Stewart's first paycheck as a real lawyer I'm buying myself another pickup truck. And Alissa, a trip to visit you will probably be the month after that.

Becky said...

So, I have never told you, but I have enormous respect for you and stew and love your courage and honesty. My mom and dad couldn't conceive for seven years and I know it was very hard on them. That started me out having compassion for it, but reading more from you and stew has deepened my sympathy and I thank you for that. I found this article online about mother's day and infertility within Momronism and thought you might be interested: www.the-exponent.com/a-new-kind-of-mothers-day/