I'm In Awe

What Has Your Sister Done – Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy

I have been completely in awe of the stories from my sisters who have faced an unplanned pregnancy. Some days, I open my email and somebody has sent a story.  These moments have been breathtaking.  Those of you who have sent your stories, thank you.  They demonstrate the strength, fear, social barriers and all the diversity that comes with such an experience.  Many of you have suffered through abuse and speak about such injustices while others share where they found support.  Many stories have both aspects – abuse in some areas and support in others. 

Once I offered to help write your stories, I have been scheduling appointments to conduct interviews and the book has been rapidly growing.  Thank you for trusting me with details you may have never shared with anybody else in the world.  Thank you for giving your story to others, so if they are in the same situation they will find answers and validation. 

In my memoir Staving Girl, I share my own story and how I became interested in collecting stories of unplanned pregnancy.  To me, this journey is personal and through my research, I’m drawing conclusions that even I wasn’t aware of. 

I have a degree in communication. My senior year of college, I was the assistant director of a project where we collected stories about a diversity of issues and presented them in a vocal stage performance.  I remembered how each story demonstrated a variety of social issues when all we were doing was sharing a story.  It’s been said the best stories allow the reader to interpret the meaningful effects.  Readers are independent thinkers and can come to their own conclusions.  Stories on unplanned pregnancy demonstrate certain aspects of societal norms and changes we as a people need to make to better support our sisters.  Each story of unplanned pregnancy stands as a witness to what is going on in our society, how each sister stands in an unforeseen place and with a leap of faith, does the best she can. I appreciate these stories and I love my beautiful sisters.

If you know someone who may be interested in sharing their story, I have extended the deadline to February 26, 2017.  The book is scheduled to be released in Summer 2017.  Below is some information you can share with them.   Thank you for your support. 

___How to Submit Your Story__

What Has Your Sister Done? is a collection of stories about girls who faced an unplanned pregnancy and what they decided to do about it.  Some may have kept the baby while others may have placed their baby up for adoption or terminated their pregnancy through abortion.  Because many aspects of unplanned pregnancy aren’t talked about, I’m hoping these stories will open the door and help someone in the same situation – after all, our stories are more powerful than we realize. 

If you want to help, here’s what you can do: 

Write your story.  This can be done the same way you would write a journal or diary entry.  Write about how you felt and how your story progressed.  Share what ever you feel.  There is no judgment here.  Remember, your story just may be what someone else needs to read. 

Stories can be submitted anonymously or you can request names be changed.  You can email stories to mydeartrash@gmail.com or message me on facebook here.  I need your story by February 26, 2017.  By submitting your story, I reserve the right to have your story in What Has Your Sister Done?

More thoughts on writing your story?

Start with prayer or meditation.  Allow your mind to open up to your memory.

Outline your experience from beginning to end to give yourself a point of reference if necessary.

Write down the key people who shaped the story?  What were your pivotal experiences with them?

Ask yourself?  What is it I want to share?  Some parts of your story may be too private?  If so, give yourself permission to submit your story anonymously.  Does this help you feel like you can be more honest?  See what you feel comfortable with.

What is it you’ve learned?  What would you change?  Did you see God’s hand in your situation or not? 

Also, if you know someone who has had an unplanned pregnancy, please pass this information on to them.  Feel free to contact me is you have any questions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.