Re: Going Crazy -- Unplanned Pregnancy Advice Board

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Subject: Re: Going Crazy

Author:
Pat

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Date Posted: 12/30/08 8:39am
In reply to: Leah 's message, "Re: Going Crazy" on 12/29/08 5:50pm

Hi, Leah,

Thanks so much for sharing that with us! It is helpful.

Just so you know, I'm a photographer, too. I also don't go to church much because I can't. I don't feel bad about it. It's just the way things are.

At least one of my kids snowboards, and that's fine with me. Another skis. Another does autocross. But the first one once tried a flip in sand, and almost broke his neck. I know he won't do THAT again! LOL I don't tend to take personal risks of that sort, but I travel across the country alone every so once in awhile. While this is no guarantee, I do have a second degree black belt, and I imagine this gives me the confidence needed to scare off wannabe predators. I have been in a few dicey situations, and usually I leave the other guy with his mouth hanging open! LOL When I was younger, I always took the youngest kid with me, on the plane or whatever, slung him or her on my body, and breastfed when he or she was hungry.

It's great you work with street kids!

I don't know much about day of the dead art in Mexico. I would love to know more. I studied pre-Columbian meso-American art in college. I know it's not the same thing, but still, I would like to learn about it.

I don't personally have any tattoos, but one of the kindest people I know has tattoos all over his body. You should see the dragon on his back! He is a tattoo artist. I consider him a friend.

I think all too often, we jump to conclusions about other people. I did. And I think you did, too. :)

It's not surprising that you are finding your experiences scary. You're not offending anyone here. You are certainly not offending me. People are often afraid of major change in their lives. They think that life as they know it will end. I think more, it will simply change. Having a child is a new kind of adventure, one of the most gratifying in the world! Now you will be able to share some of these same things with your child. One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is to learn to help street kids.

Continue to take one day at a time. You'll make it. You are obviously a strong person.

Hugs,
Pat

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Author:
Sharon
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Date Posted: 12/30/08 9:08am

You don't sound "different" - you simply sound real ;-) We are all complex beings. I think someone reading my posts would probably get a picture of me that would be somewhat narrow. My day-job is related to technology, but I also am an artist (http://www.sharongray.com/giclee). (I'm familiar with the day of the dead art you speak of from Mexico. Very interesting stuff.) I believe that a personal relationship with God is more important than a church-going relationship, but I often fall short of my own standards in regard to connecting with God. I, unfortunately, put lots of others things first. I'm divorced and have 7 children by 3 different men. While that could understandably draw criticism from some people, the reality is that my life experiences are the very things that have enabled me to be an outspoken advocate for women and their unborn children. I almost aborted my first child, but chose to cancel the appointment. I felt the pressure of society's messages that I should finish school (which I did, anyway) and should only have "planned" children. But, I resisted that pressure, instead listening to my own heart. I knew the child inside me was my child, was a person, was completely dependent upon my bringing him or her into the world. I now have a grandchild through the very son I almost killed 30 years ago...It's a chilling, sobering thought. But one that I don't want to (and will never) forget...

I went on to live with a man and have two more children. We parted and a couple of years later I met the man I married and I had my last three children. (He had a daughter at the time, so that's why I have seven children ;-) We are now divorced.

We all have different faces we present to different "audiences". That's normal. The fact is, they are all "us" but just with different nuances. You most definitely "belong" on this board - along with the rest of us complicated human beings ;-)