I Vote Pro-Choice, and My Choice Was Life
“Pro-choice and Pro-life activists live in different worlds, and the scope of their lives, as both adults and children, fortifies them in their belief that their own views on abortion are the more correct, the more moral, and more reasonable. When added to this is the fact that should ‘the other side’ win, one group of women will see the very real devaluation of their lives and life resources, it is not surprising that the abortion depate has generated so much heat and so little light.” Kristen Luker
After reading the positive pregnancy test, my heart was rapidly beating. The feeling of nervous anxiety had my body numb. As I left my parents’ house the thoughts of the future spiraled through my head. My poor choice of having an affair was going to destroy my family. Our lives were going to fall apart.
As I pulled into my driveway, I let out a sigh of relief being nobody was home. Dragging myself into our bedroom I collapsed on our bed. The bed felt cold and empty. With my eyes glued on the ceiling I asked myself, “What the hell were you thinking?” My shaky hands picked up the phone, and I searched for the number to The Planned Parenthood Center closest by. I thought to myself, maybe I could handle this on my own, and nobody will ever know. As I dialed the number, I was coaching myself, you can do this. A supportive, friendly voice answered the phone. The words I thought would never come from my mouth slowly stammered out, “I need to schedule an abortion.” After several questions, I was nicely told I would have to wait a couple more weeks before I could schedule a procedure. Holding back my tears, I thanked the lady, and I told her I would be calling back. That statement was a lie. My phone hit the wall after I tossed it across the room. While my face was buried in my pillow, I weeped with fear, guilt, and relief. I realized now I would be raising a child. The future was unknown, but I had made my choice, and my choice for my child was life.
Time traveled very slowly the next few months. As people would find out about my future child, and the situation surrounding my marriage which led to my pregnancy, most were not hesitant to share their opinions. The question of, “Are you sure you’re not selfishly doing this for yourself?” was asked more than once. My response to this was always the same. I made the mistake, my baby did not. Those were my feelings. My heart was in a protective mom mode, and I strongly stood by this instinct.
A huge mistake I believe the world makes comes in right here. As I stated, this was my heart, my feelings, and my child. My choice was protected. This does not mean I hold judgment towards someone who chose differently. A pregnancy crisis can come in many forms, and how it is handled by a person can vary greatly based on what the situation is. Until you face a circumstance in life, you do not know what your response will be.
The story below is a transparent walk through the affair and pregnancy mentioned in the story you just read.
