Sunday

Today's entry is off topic although since it is my blog, nothing is off topic. It is something I have been thinking about this afternoon. Perhaps my problem with weight over the years is related.


To my pastor: I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to call the family meeting this morning at church. Ever since you came here, you have impressed me with your compassion and care for your flock. You seem to know what to do and say in difficult situations. (It was shortly after you came that B. went missing.)


I was also impressed with D. She was so composed and calm. I cannot imagine her church family being anything other than loving to her. Although I never stood in front of a church body and asked forgiveness, I have been there. When it happened to me, girls went away. My parents would not mail letters to me from our small town post office because they wanted to avoid gossip.


When I went away, I planned to surrender my baby to adoption. Plans changed. Two months before my baby was born, I got married. My new husband was in the navy and was leaving on a 3-month cruise about a week after our wedding. We rented a housekeeping room for the week. When he left, I returned to the 'home'. One day after my husband turned 20, our son was born. The following week, my father came and took me home. My son and I lived with my parents until Hubby returned from the cruise and we got our apartment.



I have so many memories from that period of my life. I was living in a one-bedroom apartment with three other girls when I realized I was pregnant. I was so afraid. Back then only 'bad' girls got pregnant out of wedlock and I didn't consider myself a 'bad' girl. I expected to lose my job but my boss was the one who arranged for me to meet with the supervisors (or whatever their title was) at the home. He told me I could continue to work as though I was married. It was so hard to tell my parents. In fact, I told only my father and left it up to him to tell my mother. Then I waited on pins and needles, fearing her reaction. They loved me and did what they could for me. I can think of no one who was unkind or cruel to me but I know there are many girls for whom that was not true.


Now I am trying to think what I might do for D. She, too, has loving parents who are standing with her. I expect some of the ladies from church will have a shower for her at some point. They have done it for others who found themselves in the same position. She will be all right.
Times have changed and there are few families who have not had single mothers in their midst. It may not be what we would choose for young ladies but there are much worse things that could have happened to them.