Planned Parenthood I support you

First of all, sorry there to any of you who may occasionally read this blog. I took a hiatus. Have thought about writing here, but have been using my energies elsewhere (going to bed early, if you must know my guilty pleasure). Now, I am back.

Today, I drove by again. They stand right out on the corner with their signs and slogans. Right there, on my morning route. Their views make me shudder, the signs make me roll my eyes, and I feel incensed. Sometimes I feel overtly patient, as if they were little children. With so much to learn, how can you blame them for their immature viewpoint, and actions? 

The signs are so ridiculous, I mumble counter-arguments to myself in the car. "Pray to End Abortion." Seriously? Wouldn't prayer (not to mention time) be better spent on single mothers raising babies with few resources? Or on education and opportunities for women the world over? Ugh! "Women Deserve More Than Abortion." Yes, exactly! Women deserve the right to make their OWN CHOICES about their bodies, their lives, and if they want to have a child. They deserve support - if they decide to continue an unwanted pregnancy AND if they choose not to. Applause, a parade in their honor - if they are willing to go through a pregnancy, a delivery and give a child they can't support, up for adoption . I don't imagine that many take those choices lightly. Don't even get me started on the superhero that is the single parent! What women don't need are ill-informed picketers with stupid signage - "Doesn't Everyone Deserve a Birthday?" (this one was being held by a nine year old boy). Too grossly ridiculous for a comment.

I know this is a touchy subject. Who doesn't revel in the miracle of life that is a baby? I don't take it lightly. I have dear friends who have been through every kind of heartbreak in order to have a child, and others who have benefitted from someone who made the choice to have the baby and give it up to them. A wayward cousin has made two families happy recipients of little lives. Her third child, however, she attempted to keep and his story isn't as happy. I can appreciate the idealized notion that all pregnancies will end in healthy, vibrant little wonders who are lovingly raised. In the real world there is "morning" (all day) sickness, pregnancy induced migraines, hormonal swings, back labor, feedings around the clock, colic, almost three year olds, tantrums and demands on your patience and spirit that continue to surprise this mom of two. I have been blessed to be pregnant twice. I wanted these little people more than I can describe, and even so, there were hours (about 22 consecutive ones during labor) where I did NOT want to be pregnant. My point is, you really shouldn't go on that journey if you don't want to. Certainly, you shouldn't be forced to. 

In my view, we all have our own circumstances. Some people have resources of strength and intention that can turn any challenge into a triumph. Some people have circumstances beyond their control, or lapses in judgement, and how they resolve the consequences is theirs to live with and should be theirs to decide. Pro-Life is such a misnomer. In my view, it seems to be a dogma of Pro-Population, and what happens in the lives of those who must be born doesn't seem to concern many who hold the conviction. Let's just trust each other, as women, that we will make the best choice under the circumstances.

Tomorrow we will drive by Planned Parenthood again. They will still be there. Apparently, it's a 40-Day Prayer and Fasting marathon. Hopefully I will be able to just drive on by, feathers unruffled, and 'smile'. Not because (as another sign reads) my mother chose to have me - but because she did have a choice.