Life

In February 1961, a teenage girl and young man "hooked up" as folks call it today. They barely knew each other. She was looking for love and acceptance and he was responding to peer pressure. And I was conceived. 

My mom grew up in turmoil and dysfunction with divorced, alcoholic parents. Still in school, she couldn't drive a car and had no money. Without disclosing my existence, she managed to move with an aunt's family far away. And on Christmas day, I was born. They had planned to put me up for adoption, but my mom couldn't go through with it. Finally, the hospital staff relented and handed over her baby girl. 

Fifteen years later, I was the pregnant girl. More than DNA runs in families. So does dysfunction. And I had lived through my share. From the very moment I knew I was expecting, I never considered giving up my baby. My mom helped me through that difficult time. She understood. 

Why am I telling you this?

First, I'm so grateful that my mom chose to have me. Second, I'm thankful air entered my lungs and I've been given the opportunity to experience life. And most of all, I'm humbled that God brought both of us through extremely difficult times and still blessed us so abundantly. My son—now grown—has two of the most beloved little boys. None of us would be here if my mom had made other choices along the way. I will forever be indebted to her and our Maker. 

I'm not anti-pro-choice. I'm simply pro-LIFE—red, yellow, black and white, 110 years old or the size of a peanut in a womb—all LIFE matters.

And guess what? Today my mom and dad are close friends. But that’s another story for another day.

Living the Garden Life, Tammy Van Gils plants words and sprouts insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Enjoy a visit to her Authors Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter @Tammyvangils. She's honored to be a guest blogger and a contributor to The Wonders of Nature Devotion Book, Worthy Inspired, Dec 2016.