Sympathy vs. Empathy

There is a difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is when you feel for someone because you can imagine that what they are going through is rough. Empathy however, is when you KNOW how they are feeling because you have been there too. When I was going through my miscarriages, I did not get a lot of empathy from my friends as no one had  been through it before. Everyone was so sad and sorry for what I was going through but no one really understood. No one could say they had been there and help me through the process.I am grateful that my friends did not have to live through that hell but it is a lonely place to be.  Luckily for R and I, after three losses, we were blessed with the most amazing little girl.

I was very vocal about my experiences. I was not ashamed and everyone knows I am not bashful. I did not wear a t-shirt exclaiming I had miscarriages, but I made sure to bring it up if the time was...right. Robbie jumped on the bandwagon as well and now most, if not all of our friends and family know. This has made me an unofficial expert on the topic and now, people who are going through similar experiences are reaching out to me for support. As sad as I am to know people going through fertility issues, I am honored be able to provide them with guidance. Unfortunately, two of our very dear friends are experiencing their own challenges right now. One has had her pregnancy confirmed and everything looks great with the baby however she was given some potentially scary news. My other friend just received confirmation that she will be losing her baby. Although she is only seven weeks along, this is her second pregnancy and second loss. I can empathize at how discouraging that is.  I can only pray for them that their time will come for a happy and healthy pregnancy. I am confident that without experiencing the losses I had, I would not have this sweet baby girl.