Valentine Ramblings, Crosses, and Good News
I’m a bit skeptical about Valentine’s Day. February 14 has not been a day attributed to the actual saints named Valentine (yes, there were more than one) in the Catholic church since 1969. In fact, you’ll find that the Roman church celebrates the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius on this day which is how Sharon and I have lightheartedly greeted each other every morning on 2/14 for the past few years – “Good morning my love! Happy feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius!” Unfortunately, the day has now become fully overblown, commercialized, and venerated by Hershey’s, Hallmark, and FTD.
But I’ll refrain further from being a total killjoy. Our society could certainly use a day – even if it is secularized – to become selfless and give our time and devotion to the ones we love.
The last few weeks have been very trying for our family. Sharon has already relayed some of our misfortunes in early posts like the stomach bug. In her humility, however, she has not spoken of her own troubles.
To begin with – and this is not a trouble mind you – Sharon is with child. We are hopeful for the arrival of Baby G VI. However, like all previous pregnancies, Sharon is experiencing morning sickness and a heightened sense of smell and taste. Now, combine these sensations with three vomiting kids over two weeks and you can understand how trying this can be.
But it didn’t end there. Sharon herself caught the illness two days after the last child had rid herself of it. Thankfully, it passed fairly quickly.
This pregnancy has been met with great joy, but also with anxiety. Not too long ago we were confronting signs of another miscarriage. The first ultrasound revealed a beating heart, but an under-developed embryo. We continued with progesterone shots in hope that God would help bring this baby to term. This past weekend we found our hopes fading.
The signs of a miscarriage returned, Sharon was placed on bedrest for the day, and back to the doctor we went the following. Another ultrasound revealed a beating heart and a baby back on track for development! What a relief this brought us. I’d be lying if I said all our fears have dissipated. We don’t consider ourselves out of the woods yet, but we continue on in hope.
Sharon has also been struggling over how she would like to have this baby delivered. The staff have been quite obliging in the past, but unintentionally a hospital can be a stressful environment. Given that she has had three pregnancies, all natural, without medication; Sharon is considering either the Austin Area Birthing Center or a home birth with a mid-wife this time around. This is not going to be an easy decision. First, we greatly admire our doctor and all the work he has done for us and others; but we sense that he’ll take it a bit hard when we tell him we’re considering other options for our birth. Sharon and I struggle really hard when faced with decisions that will cause disappointment. Second, we’re not sure how or if our health insurance would cover any of these alternative methods. From what we figured so far, the cost will be about the same or a bit more than a trip to the hospital. We will be touring the birthing center and meeting mid-wives in the coming weeks so we’ll have more information later.
Lastly, I have been working long hours the past couple weeks. Many nights and mornings, Sharon has fully taken on responsibilities where I normally help out. I know it saddens her that I haven’t been able to give more time to her and the kids; and it saddens me as well. But through it all, Sharon has been supportive and encouraging – from giving the kids their baths to bringing me a plate of cookies late in the evening. She has shared in my joys when I resolved a difficult issue and has been the voice of patience when I have not.
I can’t tell you enough how much I love this woman. She has come a long way in her spiritual journey and continues to bear her crosses diligently. Every day I pray that God will give her the grace she needs to make it through – to persevere in holiness and live the vocation of wife and mother that God has graciously bestowed upon her. I ask you dear reader, to join in this prayer with me… for her… my love… my Valentine.