They Don't Even Know Her...

Last Friday, I went to a baby shower. It was held in our youth center, and it was for a girl who goes to our youth group. I didn't know her, because she doesn't go to church and I'm obviously too old for youth group, but I went to her shower because, well, I like baby showers and I was invited and she is having a girl too. And because a friend of mine gave me a GINORMOUS tote full of baby girl clothes in NB and 0-3 Months, and since there's no way Azaria would ever wear that many clothes I split them up and had several gift bags full of clothes and other things to give someone in need who was having a girl. Voila, a baby shower for a teen mom!

I got to the shower around 15 minutes late and I actually almost just drove on by because there was only one car in the parking lot and I thought maybe it had gotten moved to another date and I didn't get the memo. But I stopped and went in anyway, and my heart sank. There was no one there. Well, the youth pastor's wife, Cora was there. She was hostessing the shower. And then Ashley, the pregnant girl was there, and her mom. And her mom must've been babysitting because she had brought her two grandsons (older boys who spend the evening stealing Shane's toys) but they don't count.

That was it. The four of us ladies. We laughed and joked and tried our best to have a good time, but after they left I told Cora that if that had been my shower I would've gone home and bawled and felt like no one cared about me. She agreed, and told me that Ashley's relatives and friends, along with the youth group and church ladies had all been invited and no one went. In fact, the girl who was supposed to host the baby shower cancelled just a few hours before the shower.  I can sort of understand why church ladies didn't go; we were only told about the shower the Sunday before and nobody knew who she was. But why didn't her friends or family come?! It was heartbreaking.

So I went home and vented to a group of women that I only know virtually; women in a private Facebook group who are all due in May 2012 along with me. These women started by expressing sympathy for Ashley, and moved on to asking how they could help. These women, who don't know her and don't know me other than online bought Ashley gifts off of her registry or elsewhere online and had them shipped to her home. They did it out of the goodness out of their heart. I was incredibly touched--that these women would go to such lengths to help a total stranger! It restored some of my faith in humanity. I hope Ashley feels loved!