A mother at her Best

We had been meeting as a group of young people for a while. One evening, one of us was absent and we later found out that she was expecting a baby. Her boyfriend was, however, threatening to leave her unless she agreed to an abortion. Her parents, who were poor and had many problems, were of the same thought.

Our friend felt weak and confused. Only in our presence was she able to think more clearly on this decision, but the pressure from her family and the financial difficulties she faced convinced her that she had no other alternative but to go ahead with it. The appointment was made.

In the meantime, we continued to hope that she would change her mind. We prayed, took walks with her, visited her family. We got in touch with the Pro-Life Movement to attain some monetary assistance for her.

On the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day, we invited her for dinner. At the end of the evening, one of us expressed the hope that the following year could be a day to honor her, too. It was a very moving moment for all, but it seemed that it was already too late. Her appointment was set for a few days later and she had every intention of keeping it.

Even though disappointed, we did not give up. The evening before her operation, we met to pray in unity, with the faith that God could move mountains. We asked him for a miracle: that the life of the child be saved.

The next morning, wanting to love her in every way, we went to accompany our friend to the hospital. She saw us, took a deep breath and said, “Could you give me a ride to the hairdresser? A good mother should always try to look her best, don’t you think!”

—M. T.