It has been awhile since I have posted, because I have struggled with exactly what I wanted to say with this post. I wanted to be careful and intentional.
Being LDS or Mormon has always caused a great deal of reaction from people around me. I could write pages and pages of personal experiences I have had. Some very good. Most, unfortunately, have involved others handing me REALLY heavy emotional baggage of their own to carry. I used to let it weigh me down. I used to not see it for what it was.
It seems that whenever I have chosen to practice what I believe, there is also a flurry of emotions from those around me. In this case, most other Mormons are supportive. They get it. Some good friends who may or may not be religious at all are very supportive also.
This time, the love and support, as well as the terrible things people have had to say to my family have given me pause. I had to digest the idea that Joel and I being pregnant would be such a big deal. It is to us- naturally- but to everyone else. So it must be something important. This baby is important.
In Mormon belief, we were created as spirit children to our Heavenly Father, and we lived with him before we were born. So - this baby has an eternal spirit that I knew before I was born. It is a separate being from me, with its own personality, strengths, and spiritual history. We believe that forming families and creating bodies, and creating a nurturing space for spirits to come to earth, is the most important thing you can do in this life. The reason that Christ lived, died, and was resurrected was for this purpose. The reason His church exists is for the support of the human family.
After the experiences I have had recently with people, I am even more convinced that I once was, that reminders of this truth cause the reaction I have received. The positive reactions are obvious, its the negative ones that I find to be the most interesting:
"This idea has some sort of hold on me for some reason- and I can't deal with the lack of not having all the answers...I am anxious."
"If this life event had happened to ME, I would be totally freaked out. Its not something I am ready for, the idea of it makes me extremely anxious."
"I derive my self-image from my work, and my accomplishments in life. I can't comprehend leaving any part of that behind or allowing anything else in my life that might change that for me. I don't know any other way to feel worthwhile or whole."
"I am so self-conscious that I have to maintain complete control of my environment, including others around me. I view this baby as an event that would be happening TO me, and that causes more pain that I want to deal with right now. I would not want this event to be happening in my life."
However, people don't say those emotionally honest things, they say: (All things that have been said to either Joel or I since we announced the pregnancy)
"Are you crazy?"
"I am glad you told me it wasn't planned, I was seriously doubting if you guys understood your lives, and could not understand WHY you would do this to yourselves."
"So that's it? You're just going to walk away from your education and your work?"
"What is this going to do to your other children?"
This was from a family member. FAMILY: "Joel forced you to do this didn't he? Even though he knew you were sick last year..."
"I don't have to tell you about naivety... "
I will stop here. The extremely sad truth is- the worst things that have been said, are from people that have this truth about family. A few not, and it makes it easier to sympathize with what they are feeling because they do not believe as I do.
This experience has drawn me to the undeniable conclusion that the work of family is important. Being a Mormon is important, but also openly practicing what I believe is important. I am not perfect, far from it, and I have made mistakes and taken wrong turns at times. I understand more than I did a few weeks ago that this is worth fighting for, its worth the daily work of a U-turn, the consistent self-evaluation of getting back on the road, the daily tasks of maintenance, the humility of getting dirty to make things right, and being content with just the wind and the rhythm of a smooth road... and what I have found is that the hum of the road is sweet.