"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
Copyright © 2001 by Kristi Powers, All rights reserved.
________________
Kristi Powers resides in Wisconsin with her husband
Michael and 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 Chicken Soup
for the Christian Teen's Soul. To read more of
her writing or join the thousands on their
inspirational e-mail list,
visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com
HOME
