A bolt from the blue. A moment that changes everything.
Last week, in the heart of New York City, a teenager walked through Central Park beneath thunder-laden skies. In the blink of an eye, lightning struck. The kind of event that sounds like an urban legend—but it’s all too real. Incredibly, as reported by ABC News, the teen walked away alert, conscious, and… grateful. “I’m pretty lucky,” he said. Couldn’t we all use a little of that luck—or maybe something deeper—on our own journeys?
Let’s be honest: walking the path to parenthood, especially when it takes unexpected turns, can feel a lot like braving a thunderstorm. The pressure, the uncertainty, the moments where what’s just around the corner could change everything. If you’ve ever faced infertility, loss, or just the overwhelming stress of trying to conceive, you know what I mean. Have you ever felt like the universe was throwing lightning bolts your way, just when you’d started to hope for sunshine?
But here’s the twist: just like that teen, we can find hope—sometimes precisely because we survive the shock.
When Lightning Strikes: Facing the Unexpected on the Road to Parenthood
There are moments on this journey when it feels like everything is working against us. Maybe you’ve received a diagnosis that took your breath away. Maybe another round of negative tests has left you reeling. These are the “lightning strikes” no one prepares for—jolting, painful, and out of nowhere.
But what happens after?
We stand up. We count our heartbeats. We realize we’re still here.
Here’s what the New York teen’s story tells us: surviving isn’t just about raw luck. It’s about resilience—the quiet strength it takes to get up, dust off, and say, “I’m still going.”
The Power of Perspective: Seeing the Miracle in the Everyday
Think about it. If you’re reading this, you’re already a survivor in your own story. Every negative test, every awkward doctor’s appointment, every decision to keep going is a testament to your courage.
Sometimes, we get so focused on the “destination”—the baby, the positive result, the growing family—that we forget to honor the journey. We forget that every storm we weather shapes us into the kind of parent, partner, or friend who’s ready for whatever comes next.
And yes, sometimes hope shows up in the strangest disguises.
Creating Your Own Luck: Tools, Community, and Tiny Miracles
Is there a way to make your own luck? Maybe not in the lightning-thunderstorm sense, but when it comes to building a family, there’s more within your control than you might think.
Take a look at all the new solutions emerging for people on the fertility journey. For example, at-home insemination kits have revolutionized what’s possible for singles, couples, and anyone who wants more agency over their fertility experience. One company that's taken this challenge to heart is MakeAMom’s innovative toolbox—offering reusable, discreet kits like CryoBaby (for frozen sperm), Impregnator (for low motility), and BabyMaker (for sensitive users). Not only does this put the power back in your hands, but it’s also a reminder: we are living in a time where more hopeful, inclusive family-building options exist than ever before.
Maybe luck isn’t random after all. Maybe it’s the result of resilience, resourcefulness, and refusing to give up.
Your Lightning-Proof Mindset: How to Keep Going When the Storm Hits
Let’s get practical. When the thunder rolls and you’re not sure if you can keep fighting, remember these truths:
- You’re not alone. Communities like Nestful exist so you can share, vent, and find real support from people who get it.
- Progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes you take two steps forward and one step back, and that’s okay. Surviving the setbacks is part of the victory.
- Your story matters. Every scar, every triumph, every “I’m still standing” moment adds up to a narrative worth sharing.
So next time you hear about someone who walked away from a lightning strike, use it as your own metaphor for hope. Because if survival is possible after the unthinkable, so is joy—so is a family, in whatever beautiful form it ultimately takes.
Final Thought: The Storm Doesn’t Get the Last Word
You might not get to choose when the lightning comes. But you do get to choose what happens after. So, here’s your challenge for today: think of a moment when you felt knocked down and remind yourself, “I’m pretty lucky. I’m still here. My story isn’t over.”
What’s YOUR lightning strike moment, and how did you rise? Share your story below. Someone in this community might need it more than you know.
And remember, the storm never gets the last word—you do.