I got pregnant when I was a freshman in high school and my boyfriend, Greg, was a sophomore. When I found out, I called my mom and told her, even though I knew she would be upset. She wanted me to come straight home, but I waited a few hours for it to sink in. When I did go home, my mom
explained all my options to me: abortion, adoption, raising the baby myself. She didn’t try to convince me one way or another, telling me it was my decision, but I had already made up my mind that I was going to keep the baby. We both knew that abortion was out of the question. My mom raised my brother and me in a religious home and believed that even unborn children have a soul and a right to life.
My boyfriend’s parents reacted differently and they tried really hard to get me to abort. His mother told me how horrible it would be to try and raise this child. She tried convincing me that we did not have enough money to take care of a baby, and that I would not be able to finish school. When she realized that I was determined to not have an abortion, she tried getting me to agree to give my baby to her sister, who couldn’t have kids. I told her “no.”
My mom took me to Birthright International and they referred me to a Lamaze birthing class for teenagers. Greg’s parents eventually gave us money to help. I think they were trying to show that they cared.
I spent a lot of time reading books and internet articles, researching the different stages of pregnancy and what to do after the baby is born. One of the coolest books we bought was called Pregnancy Week-by-Week that told me exactly what to expect every week up to birth.
Even though Greg came to a lot of the appointments with me, my mom has been the biggest support for me, going with me to every single doctor’s appointment and ultrasound.
Greg and I did not get married and we broke up when Keri was 3 months old.
Every day, I learn something new about life and responsibility. I have learned to focus more on long term goals like saving money, graduating high school, and working towards getting a career. I worry a lot about if I’m doing things right. I had babysat a lot but it’s so different when it’s your own kid. My mom raised us by herself and she has given me the faith to know that it can be done.
Greg still sees Keri even though we’re not together. He’s not around as much as I would like, but I take what I can get. Sometimes the three of us even go to the park together.
My mom takes care of Keri during the day, and when I’m not at school or studying, I’m spending time with her.
I believe that everything God gives you and every obstacle you encounter is uniquely yours. It belongs to you and you have to take the good and the bad. Sometimes it gets rough, but you just have to remember that it’s not forever. I have been blessed to have such amazing support from my mother and such a beautiful daughter.
Excerpted from: The Real Story of Miriam’s Pregnancy - A Real Life; Interview by Leslie Rogers, 2009