Thanks for the family.

She tossed it on the counter because she thought nothing of it, this has happened half a dozen times before and this one would be no different. She went back to taking care of the groceries, did the dishes, and finally wandered back in the bathroom to throw it away. When she got there her breath caught, she felt dizzy, and an immediate sense of panic set in. Breathe, this is a fluke, I'll just take the other one tomorrow and it'll be something to laugh about. She woke up and kept her morning routine, stumbled down the stairs cursing at the dog for being in the way, started her coffee and stood in the kitchen barefoot. Well, might as well get it over, she mumbled and walked back upstairs. Same thing, threw it on the counter and went about getting ready for work that morning, showered, makeup on, and hair dried, she looked over and peeked at the slim white test on the back of the toilet. Shit, this can't be right. A little un-nerved she went through her day at work slightly in a fog, wondering all day long if it could really be true. Picked up another one on the way home and took two more, same results.

In order to not freak out her then fiancee, and to calm her own nerves she promptly went out and got drunk, really really drunk. The next week was uneasy and unsure of what she was going to do. The thoughts, oh those terrible thoughts. Abortion, intended miscarriage, adoption, how do I end it without him knowing. She promptly dismissed the thoughts and felt horrible about even thinking them. Called him at work and told him the news, much to her surprise it wasn't anger or joy on the other end. Of course I'm sure you idiot, she yelled back in the phone. I'm coming home right now, and the two of them sat and processed the situation. The prospect of a baby in their home, a little sooner than planned, but a welcome surprise. Unknowingly the cause and the cure for the fighting they had endured for the past month. On the verge of break up because of unexplained cravings and mood swings, this baby explained the problem and promptly solved it. Marriage was the plan anyways, so bump it up. Happily married, and the honey moon over, the real fun starts. Cravings, crying, yelling, sleeping, morning sickness, not sleeping, I feel like a "moose." In the end the holding of that brand new baby will make everything worth it.


This is the scenario for many households among America today. The problem is that this isn't always the case. Many times it is a heart wrenching, life altering, scary proposition that comes at the worst time imaginable. Many mothers are left with the decision to have the baby, keep the baby, and sometimes even finding out which one is the father. There is an alarming rate of single mothers and fathers out there who wanted this time to happy and full of joy and love. Instead they got heart ache and the toughest time of their lives, and it was just the beginning.

He was 25 living with a roommate and doing the typical early twenties life, she was 23 living with a roommate and finally getting her life together. They had been talking about marriage and moving in together, when she made the announcement. The next thing she knew he felt they were going in different directions and he couldn't see a future with her. He would be a part of the babies conception and birth, but she was not to keep the baby and he didn't want the life long tie to her. What should've been happy became a struggle to keep it a secret from his family and a search for adoptive parents, government help for the expensive appointments to have a healthy pregnancy, and 60 hours a week up until her 8th month to make ends meet.

There are so many self-righteous people out there that are so quick to judge these mothers and fathers. The deed is already done, and they probably already realize it was wrong and are paying for it. Why do people feel the need to put them into little groups of screw ups and losers. They don't need just your charity, they also need the same love that all of us are taking for granted. They also need the mother figure to call and ask if they morning sickness is ever going to go away, or the older sister to call and cry to when she feels as big as a house, and she needs the loving arms to hold her when she feels like she just can't do it and is ready to give up. Show some compassion people, and realize exactly what you have to be thankful for.

During the holiday season my family always goes around and says what we are thankful for this past year. In light of the two young children in our family a lot was said about being thankful for family and for loving spouses and active parents. All of which really got me thinking about how lucky I really am.
I was born in a poor city, to a dirt poor mother who was sick already, there is no record of my father. There isn't even a name for him on the birth certificate. I was dropped at a police station doorstep, and was immediately sent to the local orphanage. In this orphanage I was loved, nourished and cared for. I also wore clothes that were too small and left a marking on my skin from the constant rubbing in that spot. Bethany Christian services is an agency that works with adoptive families from all over the world. My parents, as much as I complain about them, chose to give a better life to one of these children. It was 7 years after my older brother had been born and my parents weren't exactly young, but they still made the decision to open their home to a child in need. I spent the rest of my life having love, heat, food, and a whole lot of spoiling.

I won't go out and make a big argument about abortion and whether it is right or wrong, but I'm kind of on both sides of being pro-life. My brother and sister-in-law were unable to conceive, and thanks to a single mom who chose to give birth, they have a beautiful baby girl named Kennedi. The birth mother writes letters to kennedi to tell her of her own life and how much she loves her and why she chose to give her up for adoption. I also have to be thankful that my own birth mother didn't decide to leave me in a dumpster, or terminate the pregnancy all together.

I have more and more to be thankful about every year. I have a job, and roof over my head, hot food, clothes, and more shoes than one woman needs. This holiday season really sit down and count all the blessings that you really should be thankful for. Thank your parents if they deserve it, even if they don't, they did bring you into the world and give you a chance at life and making it whatever you want it to be. This Christmas be thankful for the things you really should be thankful for.