Children do not establish a family, only the love of the two in matrimony under God does. I look at Saints Anne and Joachim, and how they direct us back to their daughter, who directs us back to her son, Love itself. If they can still have hope in God despite their pain and uncertainty, maybe I can take the first step in simply uttering a small, "Love I trust you".

When I hate my heart and body with all its problems that make me permanently infertile, I see a heart that was pierced for me and loves me when I can't love myself. If that perfect heart can love my imperfect one, then maybe I am worthy of love. When your heart can't take anymore, let His heart carry yours.

May is the month of Mary. For many of us, that sentence lands differently depending on the season of life we're in. If you're in the thick of infertility, loss, or grief, the month of May can feel like a quiet ache. And yet, here she is. Our Lady. Waiting. If your relationship with Mary is complicated? Good. You're in the right place. That's where most of us started, too.