I was 16 and it was the first time I had sex. I lied to my new boyfriend that I was using birth control. My girlfriend drove me to the clinic and brought me back home. I do not remember how I paid for it. 

All I remember was gripping the nurse’s hand due to the pain involved. I remember also seeing the vacuum suction machine and the tube leading to it. I will never be able to get these out of my mind.

Initially I have to say the abortion did not affect me at all. One day I was pregnant and the next day I wasn’t. I did tell my boyfriend I had the abortion and he was shocked, but it did not change our relationship which, when it comes down to it, was purely sexual and nothing more.

At age 21 I became a born-again Christian and confessed the sin of my abortion. I knew the Lord forgave me. It wasn’t until age 30, when I started getting involved in the pro-life movement, that I suffered depression and consuming thoughts about the abortion.  Sometimes it doesn’t even seem like the abortions really happened. It's easy to say I’ve had an abortion, but it tears you apart when you realize you took the life of your own child.

Because of the abortion, I am actually speaking out against abortion. My husband and I are associated with local Christian Action Council. I try to personally educate others about Life in the Womb.

In closing, I have to leave my name off as my parents and family do not know about the abortion. And it’s a small world sometimes, isn’t it?

Today I have two children, ages 3 & 2, with hopes for one more.