Today...

[izeveryboyin]

I recieved a chain email about the evils of abortion. In it were several large photgraphs of aborted babies of various fetal ages. At the bottom of the email were the words "pro-choice" in a circle with a line through it and the slogan: "These babies never had a choice. Why don't you become pro-life." After viewing the photographs (there were about 15), I went into the bedroom and cried. Not only b/c of the horror in those photographs, but b/c of what the message meant to me, as a mother to be and as someone who has not only supported pro-choice, but went out and protested and handed out fliers and petitions to keep it around. I thought about the growing roundness of my belly and the initial thoguhts I had of aborting my child. I was not at all happy when I got the news of this pregnancy. My boyfriend was going to be out of town for three weeks just after I got the news, and I just hadn't expected us to be headed in that direction. We had just gotten back together after a big breakup and we were trying to stabalize our reltionship. Not to mention the fact that I never wanted children. I was almost certain that I was completely incapable of handling that responsibilty, and being in a relationship with someone who is a muscian for a living forced me to wonder how we would survive as a family. But the more I sat down with him and listened to his arguments for why this baby deserved a chance, the more I became convinced in my heart that this was the right thing to do. And now, in week 16 of this pregnancy I cannot imagine how horrible I would have felt if I had gotten rid of him. Already the bond has formed. Already I delight in having my belly kissed by my boyfriend when he comes home from a gig, and feeling little flutters as I look at my baby on the ultrasound machine at the doctors office. Already I am in love with idea of motherhood. Does that make me pro-life... yes, I suppose it does, but that's not to say that I'm not pro-choice either. I think a woman has the right to choose whether or not she wants to go through the hustle and bustle of pregnancy. I have simply grown more horrified with the idea of abortion in general. I would never fault any woman who feels incapable of having a baby for whatever reason, but most certainly, I am more disturbed by it than I ever thought I would be. I wonder what all my liberal friends will think of me now. I wonder if I'll ever open another chain letter again.

--k

[Lightning Rod]

izzy,

This is a heartfelt and accurate account of what every woman and man faces when confronted with a pregnancy. I admire you for being so honest and first-hand in your treatment of this subject. You are a pundit, after all, considering your first-hand experience.

Nobody is in favor of abortion. But nobody is in favor of the alternatives either. I have had several children aborted and while, like you I am in favor of a woman's right to choose, abortion is never a pleasant choice. But I appreciate what you are going through.

My thoughts on Body Sovereignty can be found here:

http://studioeight.tv/LR/BodySovereignty.htm

PS
I can't wait to see him. I know he'll be a gem. (You already know that it's a him?)

[mtmynd]

iz - "Does that make me pro-life... yes"

One has to be pro-choice to make that decision. You're happy w/ it and that's what matters. Remain pro-choice for others. Who knows how they'll choose.

[izeveryboyin]

sometimes I read your stuff LRod and wonder why I bother. You are amazing. I am always hanging on to your every word. Nowadays in a pregnancy the longer it takes for them doctor to determine the sex, the more likely it is that you're having a girl. Mothers are discovering the sex of their babies as early as 13 weeks sometimes. If my kid is going to be anything, he'll definitely be diverse. He'll grow up in a house with a writer and a muscian, both of whom are slight conspiracy theorit (his father moreso) obsessed with art and the verbal deconstruction of American politics. Not to mention he'll be a mutt. I'll be sure to send lots of pictures. We're coming out to Virginia sometime in late August to visit his mother. Maybe we'll make you and D a stop too?

mtm: I'll always be pro-choise for others. Always. B/c it's none of my damnded business what someone wants to do with their body. They have Sovereignty *wink LRod* over it, not me or anyone else. What the hell do I know that gives me a right to pass judgement on anyone? I've had more problems than you can count, more ups and downs than I'm willing to admit, and you can bet your bottom dollar there'll be plenty more. The best I can do is say "good luck, world" and hope it goes alright for those who mean well.

--k

[Lightning Rod]

izzy,

you've got mail