what do you say...

What do you say when someone tells you they are getting an abortion?

In my theology classes growing up i had multiple teachers tell me the answer to that questions. They had bible versus and stories and every thought to give a person about the act of killing an unborn baby.

i went to prolife marches MULTIPLE years and heard testimonies and fought so hard against this.

This year my own mother talked a woman out of an abortion. When she asked the above questions i had answers and sotries for her to share with that women.

Then tonight i was told by a woman my age, who i know and see weekly and talk to almost daily that she has a high risk pregnancy. At 3 months and 6 days along she is having health problems. Her appointment for "surgery" to have "it" removed is next week. She was having an emergency abortion, but she said she was ok because she had her one son and that's all she needed/wanted/could handle right now.

I was shocked. I instantly thought of my niece and nephew (especially my niece who's birth mother has 2 older children). If their birth mothers had said that i would never have had that hole (the one i never knew was there until they filled it) in my heart they filled. I thought of my daughter and the ever present joy she brings me even at her worst moments. I thought of that baby and it's future it will never have.

I asked her if there's anything she needs, if i can do anything. I told her this is horrible and i would pray so this baby could make it. She shrugged and said no need, it'll all be ok.

All the things i have been taught to say and i was left speechless. This was the 3rd set of horrific news i received today. Each piece of news was pertaining to people who are unable to care for themselves and ways the world is stopping taking care of them. Innocent children, people with disabilities, unborn babies and the elderly. I received life changing news today 3 different times that pertain to these groups of people.

I have no words. All i can do it pray.

i pray to St. Gianna (my next daughter will be named Gianna after her). She was told it was her life or her unborn child and she said she would give up her life before killing her unborn child. In the end her life was lost, but she gave birth to a beautiful child.

i pray to St. Giles, patron saint of the disabled. He spent his life helping those who could not help themselves back when nobody else would

i pray to St. Frances Xavier, patron saint of impossible causes. i feel hopeless and i pray he gives me hope and strength to stand for what feels like a loosing battle.

I failed tonight. After all have been taught and all i have preached to others, i was given a chance to use my knowledge. i froze because of fear, sadness and loss. It's not too late and i will never stop praying for her or the poor innocent soul at stake. i don't know what to say or do, prayer is all i can react with.

I went home and picked up my sleeping baby girl and held her tighter than ever tonight. Next time i see my niece and nephew i will hug them tighter than ever. Their birth mothers gave them to my family when so many people told them not to. Every baby deserves what my niece adn nephew and daughter have. If only these women could see the beauty that can come from a dark time.

I was pregnant. It was not easy. Everyday i struggled to eat, sleep, breathe. Actually giving birth was so difficult and impossible had i not had a c-section when i did it could have cost us both dearly. i know the choice to stay pregnant and then either care for or give up your child is not easy. Both are so hard (keeping or giving) and impossible to think about in these situations. But i know that innocent beautiful baby is worth it... every second of it!

I am so heartbroken.

What do you say when somebody tells you they are going to get an abortion?