Post by Rhonda on Jun 11, 2009 3:08:42 GMT -5
New Life, New Beginnings
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School
By Tina O'Reilly
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.
~Robert Frost
It was April and flowers were blooming, buds sprouting on the trees in my rural town in upstate New York. My best friend, Jolie, and I were about to embark on one of life's happiest events¯high school graduation. We were supposed to be happy, excited, and planning our next phase in life¯but I was about to rock a lot of people's worlds with my secret. It was a secret I had kept hidden for six long, painful months, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. The time was now, for I knew I couldn't hide it much longer. In fact I was surprised I hid it so long.
Walking into my bedroom, where Jolie was waiting patiently for me to return from the shower, I smiled at how comfortable she was in my home. Lounged out on my bed listening to music through headphones, she had been my best friend since first grade. We'd been through thick and thin together, and now our friendship was about to endure another challenge.
"What are you doing?" Jolie asked confused. "Why didn't you get dressed in the bathroom?"
"I want to ask you something. I need you to be completely honest with me."
"Sure. You know I'll be honest."
Nodding, I knew she was right. Whenever I wanted an honest opinion, Jolie was my go-to girl.
Sitting on the bed next to her, I took a deep breath. "I'm going to show you something, but you have to promise you won't freak out."
"Okay," she said hesitantly.
"Promise?"
"Promise," she said, holding up two "scout's honors" fingers.
I stood and unwrapped the towel covering my body. "Do I look pregnant to you?"
"Oh. My. God! Kendra!"
"Shhh, I don't need my mother in here right now."
"I'm so sorry." The mixed emotions didn't go unnoticed. Fear and disbelief were written all over her face. "You're pregnant?" she asked in a whisper.
"Yes." It was the first time I admitted the truth out loud. Deep down I knew, but couldn't admit it to myself. "I haven't been to a doctor and David is really worried. He thinks it's time to tell our parents and go to a doctor."
"He's right. You look rather big. How have you been hiding it all this time?"
"Baggy clothing." After all these months of denial and fear, our secret was out.
Later that day David and I sat down with my mother and told her about the pregnancy.
"What are you plans for this baby, Kendra?" My mother was way too calm. I expected her to be screaming and yelling at us, telling us how careless we were and how we'd made such a horrible mistake.
"Give it up for adoption," I said plainly.
"What?!" David and Mom asked.
I knew I'd shocked them both with my revelation, but the truth of the matter was that I had decided on adoption the moment I accepted the truth about the pregnancy.
"Look, we're just about to graduate from high school. I want to go to college. If I become a mother, all those things will have to be put on hold."
"That's true," Mom said.
"I love this baby enough to do what's right for it. And the right thing to do is give it a home with parents who are ready and able to care for it properly."
David agreed with me. Our parents helped us look into adoption. When we met the Madisons, David and I knew they were the perfect couple to raise our child.
A few short months later, Taylor Madison was born. She was the spitting image of her father and the cutest little bundle of joy. Passing her to Sarah's waiting arms was hard, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
It's been over twenty-two years since Taylor was born. People who know about her often ask if we regret giving her up for adoption. To that I reply, "Never!"
She was given a life I wasn't ready to give her. She has two parents who love and adore her.
There isn't a day we don't think about her. The Madisons send us pictures and give us updates as to her progress.
David and I eventually married. We had twin boys Marc and Shane seven years ago.
Maybe some day we'll meet Taylor, if she wants to, but I already know her in my heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School
By Tina O'Reilly
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.
~Robert Frost
It was April and flowers were blooming, buds sprouting on the trees in my rural town in upstate New York. My best friend, Jolie, and I were about to embark on one of life's happiest events¯high school graduation. We were supposed to be happy, excited, and planning our next phase in life¯but I was about to rock a lot of people's worlds with my secret. It was a secret I had kept hidden for six long, painful months, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. The time was now, for I knew I couldn't hide it much longer. In fact I was surprised I hid it so long.
Walking into my bedroom, where Jolie was waiting patiently for me to return from the shower, I smiled at how comfortable she was in my home. Lounged out on my bed listening to music through headphones, she had been my best friend since first grade. We'd been through thick and thin together, and now our friendship was about to endure another challenge.
"What are you doing?" Jolie asked confused. "Why didn't you get dressed in the bathroom?"
"I want to ask you something. I need you to be completely honest with me."
"Sure. You know I'll be honest."
Nodding, I knew she was right. Whenever I wanted an honest opinion, Jolie was my go-to girl.
Sitting on the bed next to her, I took a deep breath. "I'm going to show you something, but you have to promise you won't freak out."
"Okay," she said hesitantly.
"Promise?"
"Promise," she said, holding up two "scout's honors" fingers.
I stood and unwrapped the towel covering my body. "Do I look pregnant to you?"
"Oh. My. God! Kendra!"
"Shhh, I don't need my mother in here right now."
"I'm so sorry." The mixed emotions didn't go unnoticed. Fear and disbelief were written all over her face. "You're pregnant?" she asked in a whisper.
"Yes." It was the first time I admitted the truth out loud. Deep down I knew, but couldn't admit it to myself. "I haven't been to a doctor and David is really worried. He thinks it's time to tell our parents and go to a doctor."
"He's right. You look rather big. How have you been hiding it all this time?"
"Baggy clothing." After all these months of denial and fear, our secret was out.
Later that day David and I sat down with my mother and told her about the pregnancy.
"What are you plans for this baby, Kendra?" My mother was way too calm. I expected her to be screaming and yelling at us, telling us how careless we were and how we'd made such a horrible mistake.
"Give it up for adoption," I said plainly.
"What?!" David and Mom asked.
I knew I'd shocked them both with my revelation, but the truth of the matter was that I had decided on adoption the moment I accepted the truth about the pregnancy.
"Look, we're just about to graduate from high school. I want to go to college. If I become a mother, all those things will have to be put on hold."
"That's true," Mom said.
"I love this baby enough to do what's right for it. And the right thing to do is give it a home with parents who are ready and able to care for it properly."
David agreed with me. Our parents helped us look into adoption. When we met the Madisons, David and I knew they were the perfect couple to raise our child.
A few short months later, Taylor Madison was born. She was the spitting image of her father and the cutest little bundle of joy. Passing her to Sarah's waiting arms was hard, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
It's been over twenty-two years since Taylor was born. People who know about her often ask if we regret giving her up for adoption. To that I reply, "Never!"
She was given a life I wasn't ready to give her. She has two parents who love and adore her.
There isn't a day we don't think about her. The Madisons send us pictures and give us updates as to her progress.
David and I eventually married. We had twin boys Marc and Shane seven years ago.
Maybe some day we'll meet Taylor, if she wants to, but I already know her in my heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~