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Month: August 2019

My Choice at 16: A Look Back at an Unplanned Pregnancy

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Brooke* is  willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

*Her name has been changed but her story is true.

Life Growing Up: Both Sweet and Bitter

I came from a middle-class, military family; the only girl growing up with three older brothers. Because of this, I feel I learned at an early age what having a little tenacity was all about! Although, my brothers and I were products of two loving, caring, and supportive parents, who loved, cared for and supported their kids, this love didn’t go over so well in their own relationship. As a result, my brother’s and I found ourselves as kids living without our loving parents as preteens and teenager’s moving into adulthood, which happens to be one of the most critical times of our lives!

Both my dad and mom passed away very young, leaving my brothers and me to go live with our Grandmother. Having lost my father at the age of 11 years old, I believe subconsciously I was searching for that father-figure love that I once knew. Being the only girl, and youngest of three boys in the family, I was totally spoiled rotten and was definitely “Daddy’s Little Girl.” After he passed away, I was considered everyone’s “Little Girl,” as the family was so happy that my mom had finally had the baby girl that everyone had been praying and waiting for!  And in all fairness, I thank GOD for providing me with certain family members who stepped up to complete the job that my parents had started. Although, I received lots of love and nurture growing up, it didn’t keep me from becoming a mom at only 16-years old.

Pregnant at 16: A Decision to Make

I remember clearly the day it dawned on me that I could be pregnant. My first thought was, “What did I just do to myself, my life, and my mother? She is going to kill me if she finds out I am pregnant!” I called my son’s dad and told him the news and his response was, “I can’t have a baby now!” He told me that I needed to get an abortion and that he would pay for it. I knew at the time I was too young to be a mother and truthfully, I remained neutral about make a solid decision. I thought that if he came up with the money, I would think about it; and if he didn’t, then I would just keep my baby. The funny thing about my situation is that I knew eventually I would have to face the music. I knew, though, that my mother loved me enough to forgive me and that she would eventually get over it. 

Finally, three months had gone by and I had not heard from my son’s dad so I decided to keep my baby. I would let my mom find out when the baby is born, and that is exactly what happened!  I was able to hide my pregnancy up until 7 ½ months, until my son was born prematurely and I had to be rushed to the hospital.

A New Baby: My Mother’s Reaction

When my mother found out that I had delivered a baby boy, she was not happy to say the least! She had even suggested that I give my son up for an adoption, as she was so upset. Her very words were, “Your life will be altered forever now!”    But, since my son was a preemie baby and had to stay in the incubator for a while, it gave my mother time to adjust and calm down to this new addition to our family.  She actually adjusted to having a grandson quickly and gave my son his middle name. She even babysat while I went back to school or to give me a break. However, the sad thing about this story is that my mother only had five months to enjoy time with her beautiful grandson. She passed away on the exact day he turned five months old.

Because of the example of love and support of my mother, I was able to show love and care for my child. Her demonstration to me of how to be a good mother is why I didn’t just jump to give in to my fears and have an abortion.  I truly realized now, that GOD was in the decision the whole time – watching and orchestrating the events of my life, especially when I messed up!

Life Today: No Regrets

My son is all grown up now and tells me how he is grateful and thankful that GOD stepped into the picture. Back then, I really didn’t understand the consequences of having an abortion and the guilt that follows! I, too, look to the heavens and say “Thank you, Lord!”

So, if you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and thinking about having an abortion, I ask and challenge you to think twice! Why? Because I have listened to many relatives and friends tell their stories of regret, now years later wishing they had not made that decision to abort their unborn child.

Do you see yourself in this story? Maybe you have a fear of telling your parents. Maybe the biggest fear is just not knowing how to walk this road ahead of you.

No matter your exact situation, there are likely parts of this story that you can relate to. Too young? Unplanned? Bad timing? Financial struggles? The list of reasons that a pregnancy isn’t right can go on and on.

But we understand all of that, and can offer some real hope and solutions to these issues. Just stop . . . take a moment to breathe . . . and get the information you need to make the decision that is best for you, both the current-you and the future-you!

With the right help on your side, you might just find life’s surprises can be sweet!

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A Young Professional’s Story – Why I Became Passionate About This Cause

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This story was shared with us by a member of our Young Professionals – a new branch of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) that gives those starting out in their professional life (ages 18-35) who are passionate about the sanctity of human life a way to connect and engage with others who share their passion.

The Story of the Importance of Accountability – and What it Can Lead To

Two months ago, I bought a desk from IKEA, and have somehow managed to avoid assembling the desk ever since. Thus, instead of enjoying a solid addition to my apartment during this time – i.e. a new workspace, storage capacity, etc. – I have returned home each day to the sight of the desk’s cardboard box packaging propped sturdily against my bedroom wall. Truly home décor at its finest.

All jokes aside, the predicament in which I found myself was an impressive exercise in procrastination. And it was not until I shared with a friend this past weekend the internal disappointment I was feeling toward my avoidance of the desk’s assembly that I suddenly found the motivation to open the box and begin piecing together the parts therein.

In our short conversation, my friend Mike listened to my self-deprecating excuses and instantly became a source of accountability for me. I had — although mostly jokingly — opened up to him about my frustration. And through that opening up, I felt encouraged to attempt the challenging task which I had been avoiding for far too long.

In the hours that followed my conversation with Mike, I assembled the desk (finally!), carefully arranging the provided parts in the order that the instruction booklet prescribed. I was attentive to detail, and admired the way by which the smallest pieces included within the box contributed importantly to the eventual structural integrity of the desk that now stands upright in my apartment.

Our Call to Do Great & Challenging Things

In the simplest of ways, I think that this IKEA-related sequence of events serves as a fitting representation of the beauty of life, the importance of accountability, and our ability to do great and challenging things. Further, I think that together, these values combine to highlight much of what the pro-life cause stands for. And as a new supporter of this organization, I also recognize the ways in which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) accomplishes its life-affirming mission through the pursuit of similar ideals.

Personally, I am pro-life because I firmly believe in the inherent sanctity and value of all human life, regardless of ability, disability, wanted-ness, or unwanted-ness. I am pro-life because the issue of abortion concerns the greatest social injustice of my generation; and I am pro-life because every life, every family, every mother, and every father is worth fighting for.

Of course, this “fight” that we speak of – and the work in which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) engages – is inherently difficult. Much like the desk was for me, Two Lines’ (formerly Advice & Aid’s) work can be challenging and stressful; it can require the teamwork of multiple parties, accountability, listening, sharing, and speaking up. At its core, however, our organization’s mission is about community, relationships, family, and recognition of the gift of human life – even in the messiest of circumstances.

Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Young Professionals . . . The Way to Truly Make a Difference

But as difficult as these pursuits may sound, the more I have come to understand the programs, outreach, and life-centric initiatives which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) facilitates, the more I have become interested in getting (and staying) involved at the Pregnancy Center. These realizations are what primarily led to my joining the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Young Professionals Committee a few months ago, and I could not be more excited to continue connecting with others and supporting families experiencing crisis pregnancies through this organization’s incredibly loving, important, and (thankfully) non-furniture assembly related work.

Are you passionate about the cause of helping men, women and unborn children getting the help and support they so desperately need for a shot at life?

Are you a young professional, looking for a way to connect with other like-minded people and truly make a difference with your efforts in the lives of others?

You need to check out Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)’s Young Professionals! In fact, we have an upcoming event that you need to be a part of – Our Young Professionals Chiefs Events, held September 24, at Arrowhead, where we will be hearing from Lamar Hunt. For more information on this event, go to our Chief’s Young Professionals Event page!