There's an email floating around Facebook that invites women to post a cryptic status update that might sound like an announcement of a pregnancy. It's suppose to be a fun game and raise breast cancer awareness. (Although I'm not exactly sure how being " weeks and craving " relates to breast cancer.) I have to admit that the first time I saw it show up in a update, I was shocked and came very close to offering my congratulations in a comment to my FB friend. It wasn't long until I saw a similar status from another friend, then another, then another, and so on. At that point I still hadn't received "the email" but I had figured out it was a game of some sort.
I was bothered by the posts. You see, I wish I really was 8 weeks and craving fudge. (That's what my status would be if I played along.) But I'm not and it's not a game to me. I don't feel like I have the freedom to talk about my struggles to conceive since I already have two healthy children. Many would have the tendency to remind me of this, in the name of encouragement. I know that's true. I am daily thankful for the two blessings God has given me - I do not take it for granted that their conception was miraculous.
If I find these posts upsetting - what must they be like for my sisters who have never conceived a baby? Do all these posts popping up as status updates pierce their souls?
I have no problem rejoicing with my girlfriends when they learn of the life growing inside of them. My excitement is genuine and heart-felt. But these posts are deceptive - they make it seem like pregnancy is to be taken lightly; treated like a game.
I'm not articulating my feelings well, but I am trying to process it all. There's alot to process. There's all the feelings inside of me. Then there's the whole facebook thing - it is a public forum where free speech is promoted daily. I made the choice to be a member of the social network. I don't have to read status updates - what others want to say and what games they want to play is their own business.
So many times the posts of others have given me pause and caused me to consider my posts with great caution. This is just another one of those times.
I fell for the game, too, and did congratulate someone only to be corrected. I don't like these games, either! I've always deeply appreciated sincerity and disliked deception, even when it's disguised as a "cute game" or worthy cause. You never know what inner pain someone might be going through. Just wanted you to know someone is agreeing with you out here!
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