We’ve all been that girl before. Thank you, Jen, for sharing your experiences with us, so that we know we are not alone.

Argggg! I was that girl today.

I was chosen as one of five employees at the hospital to start a green belt program, and I’ve been super giddy excited about the process. We five green belts met today with the program manager and an external consultant. We were learning about process mapping, and, as an example, the program manager decided we’d all map the process for getting our kids off to school.

Then, she said it.

“Everyone in here has kids, right? We all know how it goes.”

I wanted to crawl under the table when everyone nodded except for me. To make matters worse, the program manager innocently followed those statements with, “Oh, Jen, I thought you had a family.”

While everyone turned to look at me, I fought back tears. I smiled and replied that my husband is my family. The program manager stated something about how I could relate with taking care of my animals before work. (You know, cause it’s SO similar.) 

We had to discuss the process for getting kids ready for school for a full hour. I am just happy I survived and didn’t burst into tears until I made it to my car. I guess this is helping to give me thicker skin.

I plan to reread your book tonight. Thank you again for writing it. It’s a great comfort in times like this.

Jen, I think I speak for all of us when I say that I am so sorry for what you had to endure today, but I am also thankful for the gracious way you handled it. “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.” Amen.

You were chosen to be a green belt because of your many God-given gifts and talents. Don’t be afraid to hold your head up high in the next meeting. You are smart, kind, and gracious, and God IN HIS WISDOM has not yet made you a mother. It is just the way it is. There is nothing wrong with you, even though all of this hurts so much.

So, I will end this post by wishing you the proudest of congratulations, because that is what you deserve to hear. I think that team is pretty blessed to have you.