Monday, July 8, 2013
Pregnant and Parenting Teens Deserve to be Happy about Parenthood
Yesterday while Natasha-an other fierce teen/young mama advocate- and I were on twitter as part of the #noteenshame campaign I tweeted something that I know I'll always remember but I'll admit isn't always on my mind.
When I was 15 and pregnant everyone was telling me and making me feel like I should be more ashamed than I already felt, to not show any happiness about my pregnancy, and keep my head and pride to an all time low.
I sat there on the cold patient's table with my paper robe exposing my bare back to the cold that engulfed the room-and my heart- feeling low and sunken.
"You don't know how far down you've fallen," these words ringed in my ears on repeat when all of a sudden they were interrupted by a bright smile and equally as bright:
"Congratulations! This is a magical moment in your life, enjoy it."
I sat there dumbfounded, slowly picked my head up, and saw the nurse whom- out of shame- I avoided making eye contact with and replied with a confused and quiet: thank you.
She left the room and the cold I felt in my chest felt a little warmer, my head was held a little higher, and now her words repeated in my ears.
Years would pass before I truly and fully understood and appreciate her humane and kind gesture.
What this nurse-and another one at my allergist-did with that simple sentence was create a moment and a space where I could be proud and happy about my pregnancy.
To this day and as I write this I become emotional reliving the memory in my heart.
I urge you to remember the POSITIVE things people have done for you as you move forward in life. I also urge you to walk with kindness and love in your heart and to offer kindness and love to all.
