Be hopeful for the first group that they make it through their struggles. Be compassionate towards the second even if they aren't showing compassion towards you. And be thankful for the third group. Be thankful for those people that can try to put themselves in your shoes and attempt to understand what you're going through.
Our struggle with infertility has shown me people in each of these groups. I have many friends who have experienced infertility. It breaks my heart if they're still struggling to conceive because I know we're on the same path, wavering between the fine lines of hope and desperation. It breaks my heart if they've conceived, because I know that they have experienced infertility and I know that years of this pain leaves a lasting impression on a person.
The second group is the most difficult. These are the people that know we're struggling with infertility and they don't care. People in this group come in all different forms. Some think that our infertility is our own fault, instead of viewing it as the disease it truly is. Others don't understand why our infertility affects us as much as it does. They can't fathom why this journey could be so heartbreaking.
Then there is the last group of people. Often times they don't even realize that they are in this group, but they want so badly to be there for you that their compassion comes naturally. Luckily, I have a few amazing people who fit into this group. They've never been in my shoes, but they know I'm in pain. They recognize that I'm struggling. They don't need proof of the pain, they just want to know how they can help. They are a select few--the people who show compassion without question.
