Hey love, imagine this: Emily, think a hundred times before you sign that consent form to give up your baby youll regret it later, trust me.
I cant just abandon him, you have to understand, I cant, she sobbed, and the whole staff at York General was watching the young mother, seeing how torn she was, wondering if anyone could sway her.
She told them, My dad raised me with an iron fist. Since I was a kid he kept saying I must never bring home a child out of wedlock. How do I tell him this happened? He still thinks Im just studying, getting a degree. Ive been at home for six months because of the pregnancy, Ive been lying.
One nurse tried to soften it: Life throws all sorts of things at us. He might yell, curse, but when he sees his grandson your boy hell take him in, its his blood.
Emily shook her head, You dont get it, my father is that strict. If Mum were still alive shed understand. And she broke down, tears streaming. The babys father immediately said he was washing his hands of the child he didnt want any part of it. Emily believed in true love, which only made the pain cut deeper. She didnt go through with an abortion; a healthy, chubby little boy was born.
Her mother died when Emily was in Year6. She was on a work trip with colleagues and they got into a crash. Everyone survived except Emily. From that day on her life split into before and after. Her dad, like a loose chain, poured all his anger at the unfairness of life onto his daughter.
Emily, if you ever bring home a babe out of wedlock Ill kick you out of the house. Theres no shame in our family, got it? Get your education, become a doctor, be respectable, he warned.
Dad, what babe? Im still young, Im doing well at school, dont shout at me, she replied. She graduated with a gold medal, got into medical school just as her parents wanted, and came home a few times a year. Dad would cook his famous roast potatoes, ask about her studies, and always bring up that dreaded outofwedlock warning.
Then, in her second year, Emily met a lad at a dance class. She didnt even realise shed fallen for him he was her first boyfriend. She pictured herself walking down the aisle in a white dress, dad beaming with pride, calling her his beautiful daughterinlaw. But the guy dumped her and the wedding dreams scattered like dandelion fluff.
The birth itself was easy, but watching the tiny new life was anything but. She declared shed sign the consent form to give the baby up. When she saw that little wrinkled face, her heart clenched. Shed carried him for nine months, now she was about to hand him over.
The ward had three mums with their infants. Emily turned to the wall, not wanting to watch them feed their babies. She never fed hers, even though the nurses kept offering, hoping shed change her mind. The consent form was signed, no pleading could move her. She packed a bag in a rush and slipped out of the hospital, clutching her papers. The midwives watched sorrowfully as they called the baby Jack.
Little lad, youre all alone now. Who knows what fate has in store for you? Most likely youll end up in a good home; theyre quick to adopt these little ones, one nurse whispered.
Jack fell silent, his tiny nose twitching. Nurse Nancy sang softly and fed the abandoned baby, remembering every child whod been given up. Occasionally a mother changed her mind and returned, but it was rare. That night Jack, as if sensing the abandonment, wailed loudly, then briefly fell asleep, snatched a little formula, and woke up crying again. By morning he calmed down, becoming sleepy and indifferent.
Ah, dear, youre calling for your mother, but shes gone, she left you, the nurse murmured.
During a ward round, Emily burst in.
Wheres he? They havent given him to me yet? I want him back!
Nurse, youre back! Thank heavens! Jacks still with us, the paperwork isnt done. Are you sure you want to take him? This isnt a toy, the doctor said.
No, Im absolutely sure! Hes my son, how could I ever abandon him?
She started sobbing. I barely slept all night, hearing his cries, my heart was tearing. My little boy is here alone, without a mum please let me feed him, Ive got milk ready.
Emily was taken to a private room, the baby was placed in her arms, and he began to gulp. The staff at the door smiled, genuinely relieved. Jack wasnt destined to be a castaway; he was with his mother.
I told my dad everything that I gave birth and left the baby because of him. I said I cant live without my child and I wanted him back. He was shocked at first, then said he wanted to see his grandson, called me a fool, not a mother, scolded me for never telling him. All my life Id heard never have a child out of wedlock. He even teared up with joy So Ill take my son, well go see granddad, Ill give him a proper name and surname.
The whole ward watched the fragile figure of a mother with her child, wishing them happiness.
How often do parents scare girls from childhood with lines like, If you bring home a babe out of wedlock well throw you out!? How many young women have had abortions or given up newborns because of that fear? So many shattered lives. The lesson is important, but girls also need to know their families love them and will accept them, even if theyre pregnant without a husband, with a baby on the way.
Be loved, be happy.
