Notes from Monica LeMoine, Founder
Welcome to the May/June issue of Exhale!
I would like to start by thanking our nearly three hundred (and growing!) subscribers, non-subscribing readers, and lovely hardworking columnists for your ongoing support of the Exhale mission. It is truly your encouragement and enthusiasm that make Exhale what it is, and I continue to feel honored to be a part of this project. Also, huge kudos to Samantha Bennett, who generously donated her talents to create Exhales new butterfly logo.
Some brief thoughts/changes/news bits to chew on:
Change in Publication Schedule: Exhale will now be published every two months instead of monthly, ensuring ourselves the necessary time and creative energy for bringing you the best artistic voices.
Print Version: Due to popular demand, we now have a rudimentary print version available for a minimum $5 donation to Exhale. Make a minimum $5 donation and you will be e-mailed our print version as an attached file for your printing & reading pleasure.
Help Us Out! Like what you see here at Exhale? Pitch in to help cover the costs of creating, hosting, designing, and promoting this magazine. Exhale is entirely volunteer-run, paid-for-with-pocket-change-because-we-believe-in-its-mission endeavor. We take pride in providing you with a free, quality publication without obnoxious blinking advertisements. Donate at least $5 and received an e-mailed, printable version of this publication.
Exhale Reads! Be sure to check out Exhale Reads!, our new version of a monthly book club. Our first selection features our very own lovely Pamela Jeanne’s new book, Silent Sorority. We are always on the lookout for good new reads, so drop me an e-mail if you’ve got a book to recommend.
Express Yourself: Need some inspiration? Submit your work to our third Artistic Exhalation Award contest. Deadline will be Tuesday, June 30th.
Submit Your Man’s Picture to the Hunk Gallery! Got a knocked-down hunk in your life? A miscarriage/stillbirth daddy-o who is worth the world to you? Submit his photograph to the Knocked Down Hunk Gallery over at Knocked Up, Knocked Down to share his hotness with the world!
As always, keep your thoughts, questions, and submissions coming!
Peace,
Monica LeMoine
Exhale Founder/Editor
Table of Contents
*Features*
The Adult House by Megan L.
“‘Real mothers’ would probably disagree, but decorating a home requiresmany of the same qualities and resources as raising a child; time, patience,discipline, money, nurturing, consistency, care, attention to detail.” Read full story.
*Feature Poet: Angie M. Yingst *
“Anti-Prayer” and “Winter Solstice”
Angie Yingst, whose second daughter was stillborn, brings us the loss of a baby through a compelling poet’s voice. Read more.
*Regular Exhalers*
Not-So-Delicate Condition: “The Next Step” by Melissa S.
“Have you and Mike thought about The Next Step?” asked my husband’s aunt. Her conspiratorial tone and gleam in her eye showing her eagerness to watch the family tree blossom. I quickly learned I needed a collection of pre-packaged responses that I rotated through depending on the audience.” Read full story.
Fertility for One: Going It Alone by Robin Silbergleid
“After my D&C, when I lay shivering in the hospital bed, my doctor placed her hand like a prayer against my shoulder. A question swirled behind her green eyes for a long while, and, finally, she asked if I thought the miscarriage was so devastating because I was experiencing it alone. ” Read full story.
Meditations on Life After Loss: Family By-Proxy by Cara Tyrrell
“Where does the family tree take root? Is it defined by who sits around your table at Thanksgiving? Or, could you make some cuts, replacing Great Aunt Ruthie with your best friend from college who sat with you for three days after your first miscarriage?” Read full story.
Coming to Terms: When No Role Model Exists, Create One by Pamela Jeanne
“Now five years after I started looking for her, a few years after seeing her take shape on the page, I’ve decided that perhaps I could keep her alive. Why not try to become like her.” Read full story.
Life After Death: Prenatal Care by Arielle Greenberg
“For several weeks around my 31st week, the week I lost my son Day, as my anxiety mounted and became an almost daily occurrence, my midwives tried gently to talk to me about how my fear was communicating itself to the baby.” Read full story.
Infertility Bites: On Becoming and Urban Legend by Chicklet
“I need to believe that this isn’t a “relax” baby, that it did not happen because we gave up, and it did not happen because we didn’t need help. It happened because after all this time, the stats were finally on our side: throw enough sperm at enough eggs it doesn’t like, and eventually they will meet.” Read full story.