Kelly and Four Year Old Son Manny in 2010
When Kelly learned she was pregnant at age 45, she was faced with a difficult decision. Read how an Options for Women ad in the local Yellow Pages helped lead her to choose life in the story that earned 2nd prize in the Care-Net Client Story contest (reprinted below with Kelly's permission). Congratulations Kelly!
When Kelly (45) found out she was pregnant, her husband (47) was not happy, and he insisted that she have an abortion. The two had a blended family of four children, a son whom they shared together and three other children from their previous marriages. Kelly’s husband worried that they couldn’t afford another child, especially with three college bound kids, waiting in the wings. Although Kelly understood and shared her husband’s financial concerns, she told him that if they “walked in faith,” as their pastor preached, they would be okay. He didn’t listen. Instead, every day, her husband placed the Yellow Pages on top of her dresser to remind her to call an abortion clinic and take care of “the matter.”Kelly was very conflicted because she knew abortion was wrong, but she feared that if she didn’t have one, she would lose her husband. Kelly reluctantly made an appointment to have the abortion at a clinic she found in the Yellow Pages. Next to the abortion clinic listing was an ad for Options for Women under abortion alternatives; Kelly quickly jotted down the number. As God ordained, Kelly scheduled an abortion on a day that her husband was away and her best friend was unavailable. Without someone to drive her home, she had to cancel her abortion appointment. The next day, Kelly drove to Options where she could freely investigate abortion alternatives. I met with Kelly as her counselor and together we sorted through her conflicting emotions. After her counseling session, Kelly was given a free sonogram. When Kelly heard her baby’s heartbeat and saw his tiny toes and fingers, she knew that she couldn’t have an abortion. Kelly received free maternity clothes and was overcome by the quality and style of the clothing. She needed to work throughout her pregnancy and the garments she received were perfect for the workplace. Later, financial counseling and budgeting were made available to Kelly through her connection with Options. After her first appointment with us, Kelly left Options very grateful and resolved to tell her husband of her decision to carry. When she told him that she heard the baby’s heartbeat and saw his fingers and toes, he was unimpressed. But Kelly’s mind was made up. She knew she was going to walk in faith, and that God had her back. Kelly shared these words with me when she returned to Options some weeks later for a follow-up appointment: “I fear no man, but I fear not doing God’s will.” Her bravery and strength inspire me to this very day. Kelly’s husband appeared to be supportive for the remainder of her pregnancy and on July 15, 2006, Kelly gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Immanuel –God is with us. Thankfully, Immanuel was born healthy and is now a very active four year old who attends the Headstart program. Unfortunately, Kelly and her husband have since divorced, but Kelly remains convinced that her son Immanuel was no mistake. Kelly says she continues to thank God and Options everyday for the beautiful blessing of her son who is a daily reminder that God is indeed with her –and us.
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