Tough Decision
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in
my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full
well." -- Psalms 139:13,14
It is that time of year again...the time for rainy spring
days, the smell of budding flowers, and the sound of chatter
on the softball field...
As I watch the tear-stained eighteen-year-old, I want to hug
out all of the sadness and frustration she is feeling and
tell her how much I love her. Tonight may be the last
softball game of her high school career. A career cut short
because a nagging knee injury needs surgery so that she can
be ready to fulfill her athletic scholarship at college. As
I gaze upon her face, I cannot help but think of how
fortunate I have been to know this beautiful young lady.
However, I know how easily her song could have been one that
was unsung...
It was almost nineteen years ago that a teenager trembled as
she tearfully said to her mother and father the words that
every parent dreads... "Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant."
What a frightening time for a nineteen-year-old as she is
just starting her adult life and already facing an uncertain
future. What devastation for the parents as this is the last
thing they would have chosen for their daughter. Thoughts of
"we have failed her" to "I am too young to be a
grandparent", fill their minds. In a heartbeat the
atmosphere in the house becomes strained and the following
nights are long for the teen as she drenches her pillow with
tears. Tears that come only when she thinks no one can see
or hear her.
Many try to persuade her to keep her options open, but there
is only one choice for this determined teen. The little life
within her has now become her responsibility, and she will
sacrifice all she has to see that this precious being grows
to be the young man or woman God intended him/her to be. She
is at peace with herself, and the choice she has made...
A baby's first cries fill the air and an exhausted but
proud, teenage mom holds her young daughter for the first
time. She is inexperienced, but is determined to provide for
her priceless daughter the best way that she can. If the
first few days are any indication, she has a tough hill to
climb. Because of no insurance, she leaves the hospital
early and takes her daughter home, but the baby girl
develops jaundice, and they are forced back to the hospital.
Her pediatrician tells her to leave the baby in their care
and to go home and rest. "You have got to be kidding me!"
she exclaims, refusing to leave her baby girl for even a
moment. Something inside her clicks, and, with a
determination that surpasses anything she has felt up to
this point, she comes to grips with the situation. "You are
a mom now. Deal with it," she quietly tells herself.
Life is not easy and many hopes and plans for the future are
set aside. The early years are filled with tests and trials
but it is a time in her life that she wouldn't trade for
anything. During those rough days and nights, she need only
look at this tender creation God has given her to realize
that the best things in life are right before her in the
smile, the coo, and the laugh of this darling baby girl.
Those eighteen years have flown by, and I ponder all of
these things as we slowly walk away from the softball
diamond today. I think about all the joy this baby girl, who
is now a young woman herself, has brought into my life and
to those around her. I remember all the basketball and
softball games that we as her family have sat through,
proudly cheering her on. Not only is she the best all-around
female athlete I have ever seen, she is also one of the
classiest and I am most proud of who she is off the court.
She conducts herself with grace and humility and shows
kindness to all who cross her path. I cannot imagine life
without my Jen, my darling eighteen-year-old niece.
Tonight my heart is bursting with pride, love, and joy for
this remarkable being who came into our lives. I shudder to
think if she had not been born. How different our family
would have been, not to mention the lives of an untold
number of people whom she has touched in her everyday life.
A scared but determined teenage mom made a tough decision
all those years ago, and through it, gave us all the gift of
Jen.
Kristi Powers
NoodlesP29@aol.com
Write to my lovely bride and let her know your thoughts on
her story!
Copyright © 2001 by Kristi Powers, All rights reserved.
Kristi Powers is a full time human development specialist
(In other words a Mommy!) Her stories appear in many books,
including Stories for the Extreme Teen's Heart, Stories for
a Teen's Heart Volume 2, Stories for a Woman's Heart, and
the upcoming Chicken Soup for Christian Teen's Soul.
She resides in Wisconsin with her husband Michael where she
home-schools their two young sons, Caleb and Connor. Kristi
has been writing stories about her life since she was a
little girl, and loves to share from her heart about her
relationship with God.
To e-mail her just click on this link:
mailto:NoodlesP29@aol.com
The story above is from their book: Straight From the Heart
"A Celebration of Life" which can be previewed at:
http://www.hearttouchers.com/michael_powers