I was 17 years old when we made this decision. I felt there was no possible way that I could raise a child. I remember sitting in the abortion clinic, thinking to myself, “This isn't right.” I never said anything to Della. I just sat there saying nothing, feeling shame. I hoped I was doing the right thing, not knowing the horrible regret from this decision.
We went on with our lives and got married, but never talked about it. I tried to forget about it, thinking it would eventually go away. I was wrong. I blamed myself for not standing up for my baby. Inside, I felt shame, and I blamed myself for being a coward.
But we never talked about it.
Later in life I was baptized in the Catholic Church. When I was baptized, the abortion, the loss of our beautiful child who I miss so much, was the one thing that I was ashamed of. But I am so thankful to God for forgiving me for this terrible sin.
If our story can save someone else from having an abortion, that would be so great. Because, to this day, I still wonder what kind of person our child would have been.
That is why we are Silent No More.