The Visit 

We all know what it feels like to go back to the place where a crisis occurred. This can be something mental or an actual, physical experience. Sometimes, doing this is healing. Sometimes it's just still plain hard, and part of the hard is making yourself do it. Part of the healing is the feeling of triumph afterwards. Hopefully that's how “Anna” felt after our visit. Anna is one of the moms that chose life after speaking with Monica and I. She was on her way into Planned Parenthood, saw they were closed for a meeting, and turned to talk to us. We talked to her about her circumstances. She was married, with two toddlers. Her IUD had failed, and she was in a crazy, fearful state. She felt overwhelmed caring for her kids. Her husband worked out of town most of the time, and her family wasn't helping. She didn't have any friends, and she felt alone in this plight. We talked about motherhood, friendship, and loneliness, and offered our friendship and support. We talked about her fears, and she began to overcome them. She chose life. We celebrated with a baby shower and by providing a few meals. 

Today we celebrated by having a little get together. Anna brought her ten month old baby to the Outreach Center. Sarah, George, my daughter and her two toddlers and I enjoyed some celebration of life and a little breakfast. We all talked about what had happened over the past year and a half. We have all struggled, some more than others. 

I think there is comfort in remembering what caused your fears, looking back on your decisions, and rejoicing in having made the right choice with your friends around you.

While we celebrated we also talked about the hard things. We ended our visit, each of us with a confirmation of purpose and a renewed appreciation for life and living. We will stay in touch with Anna because that's how you stay in a relationship that is important to you. That is how we support each other, and how we start to conquer our fears.