I was on the way to my second job and just before i got on the highway I seen a 99 cent only store form a distance…

At the heart of my life's story is an intimate tale of struggle, resilience, and unexpected transformation. I found myself in a maze of fear and confusion when I discovered I was pregnant, twelve weeks along, a reality that seeped in when the stimulants I was consuming, the Redbulls and coffee, couldn't battle my unusual fatigue. My life at the time was a whirlwind, juggling two jobs, squeezing in naps in my car during breaks – a stark contrast to my habitual aversion to daytime sleep.

When I revealed this seismic news to the man I knew to be the father, he reacted with disbelief, a piercing denial that added to my distress. He promised to support me through an abortion, to accompany me to the clinic. Yet, when the day arrived, he was nowhere to be found. His calls came later, each loaded with excuses and hollow promises of rescheduling, an unending cycle of hope and disappointment.

I offered him an ultimatum, if he truly didn't want this child, he could wire me the money, and I'd endure this ordeal alone. But he continued his charade, either unwilling to part with the funds, harboring suspicions that I was lying for money, or merely disbelieving the reality of my situation.

Weeks stretched on, each passing day adding to my physical and emotional burden. At seventeen weeks, his absence during the third attempt marked my breaking point. Drained, I decided to face the daunting challenge of this situation by myself.

Summoning a strength I didn't know I had, I scheduled a final, fourth attempt at the clinic. It was then that I had a heart-wrenching encounter with the ultrasound technician. When asked why I'd waited so long, I was engulfed by a tidal wave of emotions. I cried like I'd never cried before. Through my sobs, the technician uttered a statement that altered my perspective entirely, "This isn't just a baby now, it's a soul."

Those words resonated deeply within me. I fled from that room, confusion and fear threatening to consume me. I spent days in seclusion, tears my only company. I hid my pregnancy from my family, a secret shrouded in shame. But as I reached the four-month mark, I mustered the courage to share my news with my mother.

Her reaction was an unexpected balm to my frayed soul. Her support was the lifeline I needed, the reassurance that carried me through the rest of my pregnancy. Amidst the turmoil, I found strength and a sense of peace, a newfound respect for my resilience, and the undeniable truth that my child was indeed a precious soul.