Most Sincerely,

I believe.

Hello community, there is something I wish to talk with you about. It is a story that I learned of today. Here is how it goes:

There is a young lady, 16 years of age, who had found herself with child. Upon finding out this information her father kicked her out of her home. The young lady has had to change schools and is now living with her aunt. Along with kicking her out of the house, the yound lady's father will not allow her mother to visit her at her aunt's house, nor will he allow the young lady to see her grandfather. At her new school the other girls are mean to this young lady, and the boy who was a participant in creating this new life will not have anything to do with her.

I learned of this through a friend of Josh's who knows the young lady and is trying to gather a care package for this Christmas season, she wants the young lady to feel love and acceptance. Though I do not know many details about this situation it has grown very personal to me, very quickly. I think of where I was when I was sixteen. I think of how I lost my virginity when I was barely fifteen, and it was by luck or grace or both that I did not conceive a child, as I was very haphazard in the fashion I became sexually active. I think about one of my best friends who conceived a child at sixteen, and who, with the loving care, support, and confidence of her parents, her boyfriend's parents, her boyfriend (who is now her husband), her friends, and by the sheer strength of her own character, had a successful pregnancy and an amazing boy who is growing into an incredible little man and a great big brother to his new sister. I think about all the emotions one feels at that age and how our bodies change, mature, and curiously yearn to discover what they are capable of. I think of the shame that is put upon a natural part of humanity. I think about this girl and I just want to hug her, I want to put my arms around her and tell her all I know about these things. I wish to say that this is alright, don't feel shameful, you are beautiful, this life inside you is nothing to be guilty about-- it is a miracle, this can be a situation of light and love. I wish to support her, to be her big sister, to be her friend. I am angry at those who have shunned her. So so angry.

I do not know if I will ever meet this young lady in person, but in my heart I know there are ways that I will be able to express my love for her and my acceptance of her. Baby sprouts of inspiration have already begun to push through the soil of my mind, they are being sprinkled by creativity. This blog post is one of those spouts, this blog post is a cry out to my community. You all share my heart in so many ways and so I am asking, is there anything you wish share with this young lady? Do you create art that you would like to share with her? Are there some gentle words you wish to speak into her life? Is there a cozy sweater you don't wear anymore that would wrap her in loving warmth? Do you have any baby items stored away that would be of great use to a new, young mommy? If so I would encourage you to contact me for more information, we still have plenty of time to draw this together in a big basket of love, beauty, and acceptance. For more information email me at mckinney(dot)maggie(at)gmail(dot)com, or leave me a comment with your email address and I'll write you. If you live far away I'll send you my address and you can mail your contribution. I'll gather all of our gifts and take them to Josh's friend so she can give them to this brave young lady.

Like I said, I don't know many details of this situation. I am going to email Josh's friend today to find out this young lady's name so as to make my gifts more personal. I do know that she is a "teeny tiny thing" with long brown hair and a smile that lights up the room. Her child is due in February. And in my heart I know that she is brave and deserving of waves and waves of love. Thank you community, for listening, and for caring like I know you will!

Xoxox.