Blogging Friends....
What happens when you're an artist and a certain fictional story speaks to you
{For several months, actually!!} and you tell this specific story to shut up,
but it refuses? That is the question. I mean. What do you do with that?! When
you're me? Well.... You eventually see this fictional story as sort of like a
wispy-seeded dandelion that is growing within your heart and soul. When you're
me? Well.... You pick these dandelions--one by one--blow their seeds everywhere
and watch the winds replant them!! This fictional book {This wispy-seeded
dandelion} is so far the most complex, complicated and boldest story that I have ever
written!! Now. I am not very political {I'm already sick and tired of 2016
Election news!! Ha!!} and I would be the last person on this planet to make any
political statements. But one issue that I stand firmly on? I am pro-life!! That being mentioned? This specific fictional story which
would not leave me alone has a strong pro-life message to it!! Dear, sweet
Blogging Friends. If you happen to be pro-choice, then that is okay. I will not
judge or criticize your beliefs. I'll still love you!! We can just agree to
disagree.... Right? But please, please, please keep any and all hurtful,
judgmental, criticism to yourselves.... I know how to delete negative
comments!! Okay? But there is far more to this story
than a strong pro-life message. If you scroll down to its Labels? You'll find
"Adoption". And "Friendship". Those are twain things {Which
are in this fictional story!!} that I think we all agree with!! Correct? There is also compassion in this story. Empathy. And forgiveness. Which I know that everybody
believes in!! So give this fictional story a chance!! Love you later.
Although this is obviously a fictional story {And its facts are
entirely made up!!} this story is loosely based on a special friendship that I
had growing up with an amazing girl {Named Erica} who has cerebral palsy....
She was one of the best friends I ever had as a girl.... I swear we understood
each other!!
"Baby Girl"
Fear of the unknown can be a powerful feeling. Like when
then-sixteen-year old Liana learned that she was pregnant {As high school graduation seemed so
close} and her boyfriend, Ashton, refused to accept the
responsibility of impending fatherhood. Yes, he quickly dumped an emotional Liana. Because fear of the
unknown can be a powerful feeling. Like when Liana received prenatal test
results that this baby has cerebral palsy. While also lacking support from her
parents, Chester and Vivienne {Who possessed dreams for their only daughter to attend college}
she was now crippled by fear. And all alone. While Liana may have originally
considered bravely raising this baby as a single mother? Everything changed
with that prenatal diagnosis. Because after all. Liana knew that she could not
care for an infant with cerebral palsy on her own. Because fear of the
unknown can be a powerful feeling.
Liana expressed these such concerns during an appointment with her
primary care physician, Dr. Minkus.
"Well...." Dr. Minkus told the young, terrified, expectant
mother, "You have two options. One? You either carry this fetus into full
term and give it up for adoption. Or two? You have an abortion. Which--under
the circumstances--I would highly recommend. But--ultimately--it is your
decision."
Liana pondered these twain choices. Long and hard.
Adoption....?
Liana
thought as fresh, wet, hot tears streamed down her face, Or abortion....? If I cannot raise a child with cerebral palsy, then
who on Earth would want to adopt this special needs baby? Oh, decisions,
decisions, decisions.... Adoption? My heart
breaks at the thought of meeting this baby before giving it away. I cannot do
that!! No.... I cannot even imagine such a dreadful thought!! Abortion? Right
now, I do not even know what this baby looks like. Will it have inherited
Ashton's dimpled smile that I found so attractive? Or my green eyes? Will it be
a mix of both Ashton and I? Ignorance is bliss.... Right?
But fear of the unknown can be a powerful feeling. So with fresh,
wet, hot tears falling down her cheeks, she underwent an abortion.
But what Liana does not know? This baby who was diagnosed prenatally
with cerebral palsy is hard to kill!! Because miraculously, the abortion that
Liana underwent failed!! Certainly enough, her prenatal test results were
absolutely correct. But what Liana does not know? This baby--a very, very, very premature girl--was found
{Abandoned outside that abortion clinic} and hurriedly driven toward the neonatal intensive care unit by a good Samaritan named Nanette where her husband, Sherwood, worked. What Liana does not know? Soon, this special needs infant was barely
alive, yet immediately fighting for her tiny Life!! Because she {Affectionately
known throughout the neonatal intensive care unit as Baby Girl!!} was an
iron-willed survivor who could scream her tiny, underdeveloped lungs out!!
"Oh, Sherwood...." said Nanette later that evening,
"I cannot stop thinking about beautiful Baby Girl...."
"I know...." said Sherwood, "Neither can I."
"She is so tiny and helpless.... " continued Nanette,
tears welling in her eyes, "Unwanted.... Cast aside like a stuffed rag
doll...."
"I know...." said Sherwood, as he blinked back tears,
"Having worked in the N.I.C.U., I've seen countless premature, birth
defected and sick babies. But.... I keep asking myself over and over and over who would do such a cruel,
heartless thing like abandon an underdeveloped baby girl."
"Me too...." said Nanette, wet, hot tears streaming down
her cheeks, "I also cannot help but wonder.... When there are couples like
us who have privately struggled with infertility issues, why would anybody try
to abort her own baby....? Their flesh and blood....? Her own child....?"
"I do not know the answers to that question," Sherwood
said firmly, "But we shouldn't judge Baby Girl's birth mother. It is not
our place and will only make us angry. This precious, tiny, helpless, unwanted,
severely premature, Beautifully Unique Baby Girl obviously has cerebral palsy.
Having worked in the N.I.C.U., I've seen several infants with that birth
defect. They are all such amazing little fighters!! If Baby Girl's birth mother
knew in advance that she would possibly be born with cerebral palsy? Well....
Fear of the unknown can be a powerful feeling."
Nanette wiped wet, hot tears from her eyes.
"Sherwood!!" she suddenly exclaimed, "I know what we
need to do!! Listen. You and I have been trying to conceive a baby for five
years now. Right?"
"Has it really been that long?!" exclaimed Sherwood,
"Five years?!"
"We have tried every single option that medical technology has
to offer," continued Nanette, "Over and over and over. Yet nothing is happening. I am not pregnant after all this
time--"
"What are you saying?" interrupted Sherwood, a huge smile
written on his face, "That we need to adopt beautiful Baby Girl?!"
Nanette grinned at Sherwood. He could always read her mind!!
"Yes!!" exclaimed Nanette, "I want Baby Girl!! No. I
need Baby Girl!! And adopting her could be a wonderful way to begin our
family!!"
"I agree!!" said Sherwood, "And I want--need--Baby
Girl, too!! If possible.... Let's begin the process of filing for adoption
tomorrow!!"
And so they did!! For Liana may have asked herself who on Earth
would want to adopt a special needs baby. But she was wrong!! Because someone obviously did want to adopt Baby Girl!! Since nobody
could contact either Liana or Ashton? Because Baby Girl's "case" had not yet been handed over
to Child Protective Services? Since she was unwanted by Liana? It proved to be
an easy, fast adoption process for Sherwood and Nanette!! Because as soon as papers were officially signed? Once Baby Girl was
finally released from the neonatal intensive care unit? As soon as they were
all cleared to go? Baby Girl's new, loving, adoptive parents drove her home!! Meanwhile, she had
naturally charmed everybody who worked at the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore,
they threw her an awesome surprise party with bakery-made, fluffy,
sweet-tasting, vanilla cake, helium-filled balloons, handwritten cards, and
much-needed infant items!! It felt like a shower. An amazing "birthday" for Baby
Girl. And a farewell party. All wrapped in love!!
"Have you decided on what to name
Baby Girl?" asked Nurse Arthur.
Sherwood and Nanette looked at each other lovingly. Baby Girl was
being passed around from adoring friend to friend.
"Jubilee Erica," said Sherwood.
"Yes!!" exclaimed Nanette, "Because Jubilee means:
'joy and celebration'!! We both liked that name!! Plus its meaning is so
profound!! Because that's exactly what Jubilee will be to us.... An incredible
joy and a Lifelong celebration!!"
"Erica means: 'brave'," added Sherwood, "And
'victorious'. We do not even need to explain why that middle name was
chosen.... Right?"
Everybody laughed in unison.
"No...." said Nurse Arthur, smiling.
"Thank-you.... Everyone.... For throwing Jubilee this
party!!" said Sherwood, as he blinked back grateful tears, "Wow.... You
have no idea how touched we are by all of this!!"
What Liana does not know? Jubilee would eventually grow, develop and
evolve into a teenager. Physically disabled, she uses an ebony-painted
wheelchair. Jubilee is not potty trained and therefore wears diapers. She's
also legally blind. The only word in Jubilee's vocabulary happens to be
"Hi". Oh, but she says that one word with so much enthusiasm!! In an
effort to express herself, Jubilee screeches, squeals and screams. Sometimes it
is out of frustration. For Jubilee's head contains countless thoughts, feelings
and emotions!! But mostly? Jubilee screeches, squeals and screams with joy!!
What Liana does not know? Jubilee is very, very, very smart!! Far more intelligent than anybody could ever comprehend!!
For Jubilee recognizes her name being spoken. What Liana does not know? Jubilee
would make a good friend--named Katrina--who is an oddball, learning disabled
misfit that nobody understands. They met several years ago in church. When all
of the other kids were afraid of Jubilee and felt awkward around her? Katrina
was different {In more ways than one!!} because she never once felt that way!!
"Hi, Jubilee!!" said Katrina, before taking an empty seat
next to her friend's wheelchair in youth group one Sunday, "How are
you?"
Katrina gently touched Jubilee's bare forearm, and ran three fingers
down to her wrist. Then she held this special friend's hand. Jubilee's eyes
rolled back in her head. She squeezed Katrina's hand tight. Recognizing her
faithful friend's voice, Jubilee then giggled, screeched, squealed and screamed
with joy!!
"Hiiiii...." sang Jubilee, "Hiiiii...."
Katrina smiled.
"Hi," she said before listening to Pastor Archie's sermon. And Jubilee
never let go of Katrina's hand.