A visible outward sign for a inward (often hidden) condition

I originally started this post in January when I stumbled across this blog, well specifically that post. I don't know how I got back to her post from 2006, but I'm glad I did. It talks of an outward symbol or sign for an inward condition... the condition of infertility. It started with a decision that there should be a secret handshake for those who have experienced or are currently experiencing infertility. It was to help bind those struggling together. Those that may be jealous of pregnant bellies realize that maybe they struggled too and maybe it really is their happily ever after.

The post continues to explain that after lengthy discussions about a signal we could give one another as well as a tangible object that would invite questions and subsequently discussion about infertility, the decision was made to settle on a simple thread. More specifically a pomegranate colored thread.

The following is almost if not directly quoted from that blog: (parts reworded in my voice)
I learned pomegranates are a longstanding symbol of fertility and serve as a strong analogy to those suffering from infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in color and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. The diagnosis is unique from woman to woman and can be endometriosis, PCOS, low sperm count, luteul phase defects, or unexplained infertility- the emotions, those seeds on the inside are the same from woman to woman. Infertility creates frustration, anger, fear, depression, guilt, loneliness, etc. In addition, the seeds were to represent the multitude of ways one could build a family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, etc.

The tread was to hold a purpose to identify and create a community between those experiencing infertility and create a starting point for a conversation. It is in a hope to remove the social stigma around infertility. Women facing (I almost wrote suffering and then that word seemed wrong) infertility could tie on the thread because they are NOT ALONE.

Then tonight, I was on this blog that I have been reading occasionally and discovered from that post that 1 in 6 couples are considered infertile. This means two things to me:
1. As the author points out in her post, there are more fertile couples than infertile ones which is why people say things like “Oh, just relax. Give it time. It will happen!” or “They just need to stop trying and it will happen.” which in some cases is just not true. Some people (us infertile ones) need some help.
and
2. there should be a lot of people wearing these pomegranate bracelets or threads. After all 1 in 6 is almost 17%. That seems significant to me.

Okay I got a bit off track, let's get back on the road. I liked the idea of the One Common Thread enough to save the link in my posts and hadn't gotten around to updating it until tonight. Blog hopping around in no particular order took me to yet another blog about infertility where I came across an infertility awareness necklace. It features the following 4 parts with this meaning....

The Pomegranate Ribbon is to promote awareness.
The Pomegranate Teardrop Pearl represents the tears that have been shed.
The Miracles charm represents the miracles we will one day have.
The Pomegranate Crystal represents the glimmer of Hope we all need on a cloudy day.

So, there you have it. This is a long post just for me to wrap up with...I want one. I want to show a visible outward sign to the world. Yes, I am infertile and facing an assisted journey ahead, but I have hope. I don't think I can ask Clay for one though. He may think I'm being silly and.... well, I just asked and he didn't care and said I could get one. So do I order it?