3. Congratulations

Friends and family rapidly pass the word. We catch our breath. And phone calls start coming in. Phone calls that should not be ignored. What will people say to us? As difficult as this is for us, I know it's equally difficult for the voices on the other end of the phone. Well, maybe not "equally," but fairly difficult.

So, want to know what they say? They all say the same thing: "Congratulations." A word that seems deliciously weird in the current context. On the one hand, damn right we should be congratulated! On the other hand, that word doesn't seem to pair with the feelings I have inside. It's like dropping an olive into a glass of Guinness. A strange mix.

Strange or not, it is comforting to hear that word, as there are so many other words to choose from that could be vastly inappropriate. And it's my understanding that many people in our situation have heard them.