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pullingcandyHow To Say Goodbye
Published: 2012-03-05 18:53:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 21745; Favourites: 872; Downloads: 614
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Description Dear Unborn Child, Whom I Let Go;

When I was thirteen and four months old, and you were thirteen years younger, I decided to let you go. You squirmed in opposition beneath my ribcage, up against my pelvis, and I licked my lips and tried to smile while I leaned my forehead on the cool glass of the car, hellbound.

I remember sea weed insertion, dilation, cramps and bleeding. Orange smoothies from Dairy Queen that I threw up, and I hoped you were mingling in the remains of my summer day treat, so I could put this behind me. Pretend I was 'moving on'. I laid in the bathtub of a hotel room for six hours, trying to melt you away in scalding water from a rusty tap, yet you clung on, holding tightly to the walls of my pelvic region. Wiggling upwards, towards my throat. Past my teeth. You're trying to get out, but my family has decided you won't breathe when you're released from your bloody shackles; you may as well settle down now, sweet son, settle down.

The rest of this, to me, is a blur. There is a car ride, and protestors. I know you had finger nails, eyelids, heft and weight. I know how you were created. I am (was) just stupid, and I knew (thought) I was in love with a deviant, and a bastard, but after you are expelled I will go back to him. I think we both knew that. There is a chair, and an elderly woman, forceps, an injection. And after...there is a hazy forty-five minutes where I believe that I have died. Hope I have died. Realize I have not, and blink slowly under the glare of clinical lighting.

I caught a glimpse of you, my boy, before you were completely removed from this world; bloody chunks quiet and gleaming, no longer moving, no longer clawing your way up my windpipe to exit through the gaps in my teeth.

I don't know if I will miss you.

Antibiotics. My mother cried as she handed me the bulky package. I don't know if she cried for you, or for me, or for herself at my age. I will never know, I won't ever care. I don't even know why I remember that she asked me, after, if I was sure. I believe the proper question would have been are YOU sure, Mother. Are you sure the steps you've taken in your life that have brought us to this point were the ones you intended. Are you sure?

I remember you, small being, as I hold my daughter's hand, now. In a crowded mall, or sweeping dust bunnies from the floor in my kitchen. When my youngest wears blue, I wonder if she looks like you would have, and when my eldest stares at me in that unsettling way, that way only children know how to do, I believe that somewhere, somehow, you're staring at me like that too.

Always;
Your Mother
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Comments: 1187

pullingcandy In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:53:55 +0000 UTC]

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ThatOneGuy92 In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 03:31:39 +0000 UTC]

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xXcinnamon-sunXx In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:19:34 +0000 UTC]

Wow...
This was so touching.
I know it'll never be enough, but I can only say "This is beautiful. I'm so sorry." I don' t think I'll ever understand exactly how you felt, and I'm the same age as you were, but this brought me very close to understanding. I think either option is a very terrifying and brave thing to do. This really made my throat tighten. Wishing you happiness with your life,
Cinna

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pullingcandy In reply to xXcinnamon-sunXx [2012-04-13 02:22:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so very much. I hope for nothing but happiness for you, as well.

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skittleflink In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:18:24 +0000 UTC]

you are powerful. and so are your words. thank you for sharing with us this incredibly eloquent and poignant glimpse of something much heavier than any words could (probably ever) fully convey. thank you. it's beautiful.

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pullingcandy In reply to skittleflink [2012-04-13 02:44:26 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, so much, for reading. And commenting.

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SilverNinjaWolf In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:07:47 +0000 UTC]

Awesome. Very soulful and sad. This had a purpose.

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pullingcandy In reply to SilverNinjaWolf [2012-04-13 02:15:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

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SilverNinjaWolf In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-15 15:23:28 +0000 UTC]

Of course. It was well worth it.

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blessedarrow In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:07:40 +0000 UTC]

Wow, this is amazing. I love the style in which is written, but also.. there's something about it that made me nervous, right from the start. I could feel Everything. And the last paragraph.. I just love everything about this. It's really sad, but it moved me, and I see that as a good thing.

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pullingcandy In reply to blessedarrow [2012-04-13 02:18:51 +0000 UTC]

I am glad you were moved. Thank you so much for reading.

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Shiver-In-Shadows20 In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:07:19 +0000 UTC]

In life, you will find every word you have written to come true. Yet it was in your past and I am certain you have dealt with every emotion that comes with that decision. Nothing we say and do can bring that child back and there is no sense in condemning you for that action. I personally do not accept abortion. I am pro-life and although I have that stance, I have to say I am moved by this letter. It is honest and very thoughtful..... That being said and over with, it truly pains me to know that while you were so young that you could not properly have the baby, the words you said "I don't know if I will miss you" did nothing more than piss me off. To think you could ever call yourself a mother and say those 8 words to your dead child is an insult to his/her memory. I hope it never haunts you. I hope it never keeps you awake at night. I hope you never cry a single tear for that child. I only hope that when your time does come, that child will forgive you. I wish you no ill will.

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Cluisanna In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-13 02:26:50 +0000 UTC]

God, pro-women-dying-from-unsafe-abortions people, can't you just shut up for once.

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Shiver-In-Shadows20 In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 05:53:25 +0000 UTC]

You would have me keep my voice silenced while she can raise hers? No, I don't think I will.... Death is death, even the death of animals. I respect life for once it is gone, that is the end of the joy we can obtain on this world. And please do not group me with those crusaders. I am myself, with my own opinion, and I have read this letter with my own eyes and came to the conclusion that it is a good heartfelt letter from a mother to a child she gave up due to personal struggles and a life she herself was struggling to comprehend. Did I condemn her? No. I believe we have free will and the right to choose. But isn't that such a lovely argument? We can 'choose' in this life. So, I choose to say what I please just as she chose who can live.

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WitchVine In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-13 06:02:09 +0000 UTC]

"the words you said "I don't know if I will miss you" did nothing more than piss me off. To think you could ever call yourself a mother and say those 8 words to your dead child is an insult to his/her memory." + "Did I condemn her? No." = lol

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Shiver-In-Shadows20 In reply to WitchVine [2012-04-13 06:08:09 +0000 UTC]

How sad. You try to use my own words against me.... Allow me to explain what that meant. I am allowed to feel pissed at WHAT SHE SAID. It did insult the memory of her unborn child. It did insult me in a way. I in no way condemned her actions. I agreed with the turmoil in her heart and soul and I agreed that her choice was valid given the age and situation. I also hold life to be dear and sacred and disagree with abortion. But the past is the past and from what I have seen her write, she has been haunted by it truly. I only wish the hurt would fade and closure come full circle.... Now stop trying so hard to make something out of nothing and be productive in life.

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Shen-fn-Woo In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-15 13:28:10 +0000 UTC]

Don't worry about her, she just wants attention. Don't know all of what you two were arguing about (read this post and the one above and below and gave up), I just got here looking for my own post. And yeah, one can tell she's got nothing else to do than to sit here playing white knight for her friends, as she's picked an argument with every naysayer in this deviation, and has continued arguing from the time it got a DD till this day. Yeah, she's got no life, let's let her get the last word so that she can feel accomplished... as sad as that may seem.

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WitchVine In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-13 06:15:30 +0000 UTC]

lol

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ObsidianXRogue In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 02:31:23 +0000 UTC]

I don't think commenting like that is going to improve things, dear.
I am sure that ^pullingcandy would not wish for conflict to come from this.
Sometimes it is best to just to move on.

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Cluisanna In reply to ObsidianXRogue [2012-04-13 02:33:55 +0000 UTC]

Oh I have moved on, however this person was incredibly rude and I couldn't but point it out. And... um, you come off really condescending. Adults normally don't give other people headpats, at least not in a serious comment.

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ObsidianXRogue In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 02:41:55 +0000 UTC]

I didn't mean for it to come across in such a way.
It's a bit of a habit that I carry over sometimes.
I apologize if it came across as such.

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Cluisanna In reply to ObsidianXRogue [2012-04-13 15:09:08 +0000 UTC]

Yeah no problem, just wanted to point that out since it seems you were just trying to be nice but it didn't come over as such ultimately.

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pullingcandy In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-13 02:13:24 +0000 UTC]

If you wished me no ill will, you would not have left a comment that included such poignant hatred in the middle of it.

This is how I felt at thirteen. I did miss this child. This haunted me for eighteen years. It did keep me awake at night. I spent nights hovering over my two surviving children, crying. I did everything in my power to deal with this event which was far, far out of my realm of control.

I am thirty-one now. I have dealt with all those emotions, to the best of my abilities. But I have every single right in the world to, at thirteen, have felt that way.

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Shiver-In-Shadows20 In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 06:03:57 +0000 UTC]

I will never understand how you personally felt way back then. I am quite sure it was scary and well beyond any fear you have now. My hatred was for the act, not the the one who committed it. We are all human and capable of deeds we are ashamed of. But we carry on and we try to live the best way we can. I could have easily became the people I despise, the condemning activists who don't understand fear and a choice that must be made. But I chose to be myself and what I wrote I will not take back. Yes, you have the right to feel human. To feel scared and alone and unsure as to how to make this choice. But I don't believe it was out of your control. We all have the power over our lives (hence, free will) and can 'choose' how it plays out (God has a plan, but sometimes we alter out). This is truly a tragic situation, one where I have mixed emotions and it is far too late to argue or even talk. Whats done is done, and I'm certain when I have a child (I'm 21 by the way) I may do my own share of deeds that may haunt me, but that will by of my doing and will be my life. I give you my best for your life and I hope and pray that God has taken care of that youngling. Good night.

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pullingcandy In reply to Shiver-In-Shadows20 [2012-04-13 13:23:03 +0000 UTC]

I'm sorry for you that you feel that it wasn't out of my control.

You don't have to take back what you said, but you should be a little more understanding of people and their situations. I had absolutely no choice, no say, and no way to back out once events were put in to motion.

I've done nothing but good in my life for the last 18 years, this doesn't scar me anymore. I'm a valuable, worthwhile person and while tragic, this didn't make me bad. Nor did it make my family bad, it just happened.

It's too late to change what is done. But it's not too late to change being prejudice.

God will take care; that's His job.

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kaorimaru In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:07:00 +0000 UTC]

This honest piece of writing touched my heart. I'm 15 and I don't know if I could have been anywhere close to as brave as you were

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pullingcandy In reply to kaorimaru [2012-04-13 02:14:50 +0000 UTC]

If you had to be, you could.
Thank you for reading it. Truly.

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Psychoneurotic-Alice In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 02:04:31 +0000 UTC]

This is so sad... I'm still crying.

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pullingcandy In reply to Psychoneurotic-Alice [2012-04-13 02:14:55 +0000 UTC]

I'm so sorry

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Psychoneurotic-Alice In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 02:16:28 +0000 UTC]

It's alright, this was beautifully written. You seriously deserved that DD

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pullingcandy In reply to Psychoneurotic-Alice [2012-04-13 02:28:14 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much.

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Psychoneurotic-Alice In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 02:29:07 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome

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artsaves1228 In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:59:58 +0000 UTC]

very powerful. Made me cry. You are incredibly brave for sharing this

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pullingcandy In reply to artsaves1228 [2012-04-13 02:13:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for reading.

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AngelRinoaHeartilly In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:59:48 +0000 UTC]

I am so sorry for everything you have, and still are, going through and have gone through.
Until someone is you, and feels how you felt and feel, they shouldn't critize you.
I can feel the emotions in this!

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pullingcandy In reply to AngelRinoaHeartilly [2012-04-13 02:19:20 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the comment, and for taking the time to read my piece. I appreciate it, truly.

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AngelRinoaHeartilly In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 14:48:26 +0000 UTC]

Your very welcome!
You deserve it.

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Mister-Blackwood In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:59:36 +0000 UTC]

Always;
Your Mother

...the most powerful ending I've seen on deviantart. I can feel the force of your experience, and the depth of your feeling. You've transferred these feelings to me in some way, thank you for this experience.

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pullingcandy In reply to Mister-Blackwood [2012-04-13 02:13:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank YOU for reading it.

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burntchurro In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:59:28 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful.

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pullingcandy In reply to burntchurro [2012-04-13 02:06:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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ceesefire In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:56:07 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, pure, and honest. I wish so many other people in this world could stop just arguing about differing viewpoints and instead listen to the heart of the individual.

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pullingcandy In reply to ceesefire [2012-04-13 02:14:33 +0000 UTC]

It's a tough situation that everybody has their own opinion on. Whether it's right or wrong, that opinion, I don't think anybody will ever let it go long enough to see another view point. Not entirely. Thank you so very much for reading.

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Cluisanna In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:55:44 +0000 UTC]

What is abortion propaganda?

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pullingcandy In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 02:07:15 +0000 UTC]

Links about baby growth, how they have finger nails and hair at like, 7 weeks after conception, links dealing with Rick Santorum, religious website linking, etc.

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Cluisanna In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 02:23:40 +0000 UTC]

Oooh you mean anti-abortion propaganda I was like wth who is propagating abortion (I mean, choice and so on, yes, but I don't think you'd find people saying "Hey, have an abortion, they're awesome!")

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pullingcandy In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 02:28:52 +0000 UTC]

Yes.......I do mean that. -chuckle- I didn't mean to not put the anti. I should fix that. Thank you for letting me see my mistake.

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Cluisanna In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 02:34:27 +0000 UTC]

No problem. I was genuinely confused.

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pullingcandy In reply to Cluisanna [2012-04-13 02:42:06 +0000 UTC]

I think it's all cleared up now.

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SpiritWolf101 In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 01:54:40 +0000 UTC]

Thats sad! But so good!

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