Sunday, January 25, 2009

SHOW & TELL - BEATING THE ODDS



Not quite knowing why I had to, I jumped in the water and snapped this shot at Itaska State Park a year and a half ago.  For some reason, I just HAD to record this sight.  It was not until several months later that I realized the reason I was drawn to this tree.  The tree was growing out the side of the low bank.  However, it was not about to fall; the roots were deep and holding tight to the earth.  Notice the healthy leaves and branches reaching for the nurturing sun.  This tree is alive.  This tree is beating the odds.  One would think gravity would pull this tree into the water, ruining its chances for life.  But this tree is strong and its roots are holding tight, supporting the massive trunk and sun-reaching limbs.  


We who endure infertility are like this tree.  For one reason or another, our bodies or our situation grows in a way that makes it difficult for us to conceive our dream.  The gravity of infertility tries to make us fall.  But we find strength in our roots.  We hold fast and send our branches high into the hope of the skies, reaching for energy to keep trying for our dream.  And no matter the outcome, we too will beat the odds.  Whether we get the two pink lines, adopt, or decide to enjoy a childfree lifestyle, we will have endured the pain and heartache of infertility and come out of the trials strong as oak.  We are infertile, but we learn to grow in ways most don't.  We are women and men of incredible strength and resolve.  And we beat the odds.   

Go now to Mel's Show & Tell to see who else is standing strong.

25 comments:

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

Fabulous photo and metaphor!

Anonymous said...

That photograph is absolutely stunning! Your post about it brought me to tears. So very true...

ICLW #52

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful photo and post!

AnotherDreamer said...

That is an absolutely beautiful and perfect photograph! Love it, love it, love it. Thank you for that!

Megan said...

Thanks for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

Well said.

Liv said...

You know I needed to be reminded that there is growing strength in my roots - and somewhere sometime there will be fruit. Great post Gina!

Kristin said...

What a beautiful picture and a fabulous, inspiring story.

Michelle said...

Great picture and inspiring metaphor to go with it!

Sara Jean said...

Seriously crying right now after reading this....the photo is beautiful, and I hope you don't mind but I just made it my screensaver. Thank you so much for poting!

Anonymous said...

oh, gina...you are such a lovely lady. how i enjoy reading your lovely words about your heart-wrenching situation. you are beautiful, and strong. xo, katy deweese(frampton)

JuliaS said...

Wow! Great picture and great story to go with it.

Thanks for stopping by! If dh ever gets my wood cut for me, I plan on starting right away and "telling" for next S&T. :0)

Lori Lavender Luz said...

You have terrific instincts, and it's great that you followed them and snapped the photo.

It's very meaningful to me, too, growing against the odds.

Malky B. said...

Great metaphor and so true.

The Steadfast Warrior said...

Exquisite photo. An interesting thought that ocurred to me was that you lept into the water in a moment of unknowing instinct. We're all leaping here but the tree reminds us that we are stronger than we sometiems believe.

Thanks for the reminder.

Soralis said...

Well said!

ICLW

momofonefornow said...

What a great metaphor! The photo is beautiful!

Coffeegrljapan said...

I love that you were drawn to take this photo and then later figured out what it meant to you. Thanks for sharing such a profound revelation with us. I love it.

Brenna said...

What a treat, to read an insightful and moving post like this! Beautifully done, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are amazing and the writing is so moving.

Thanks for stopping by my blog for ICLW...
No. 3: The Unfair Struggle (male-factor IF, friendship, life on the ice)

Stacie said...

Wow. Beautiful picture and post.

Here from ICLW.

Mrs.Joyner said...

Gorgeous..both the picture and it's relation to going through IF.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link on the comment you left on my blog ;)

GREAT post - you describe it so well and you hit it spot on the button! We are strong and we wil beat the odds - one way or another.

xxx

Evergreen said...

I just found your blog, and I can relate on so many levels. We too are just starting the adoption process (we're in the midst of our homestudy) and are working on an independent adoption. Yes, isn't it a joy to drink coffee again? ahhhhh.....

Lut C. said...

Popped in from the crème de la crème list.

Beautiful post and beautiful picture.

 
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