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pullingcandyHow To Say Goodbye
Published: 2012-03-05 18:53:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 21754; 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

analillithbar In reply to ??? [2012-04-13 14:37:18 +0000 UTC]

You are most welcome. Keep up the great job. ;D

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amucci In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 13:32:47 +0000 UTC]

so well written- you touched my heart-

How many of us have gone through this and just keep it in a box in our hearts?

xo to you-

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pullingcandy In reply to amucci [2012-04-12 18:27:59 +0000 UTC]

I kept it in a box for 18 years.

Thank you for reading.

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WolfOnCrack In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 13:10:13 +0000 UTC]

Wow... That was well written. I believe in woman's rights so I respect your decision and pray that life will get better for all of us. The most I can say is that this piece actually made me cry a bit. Bravo. Keep it up.

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pullingcandy In reply to WolfOnCrack [2012-04-12 18:24:37 +0000 UTC]

It wasn't my decision, sadly. I was too young to make up my mind either way, at 13. But the decision was made - and never repeated. I've had two lovely children since then, thank goodness for them.

I'm sorry about the tears, but thank you for taking the time to read it.

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AimeeRaindrop In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 13:04:32 +0000 UTC]

I'm go glad that this got a DD. It couldn't be more deserving

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pullingcandy In reply to AimeeRaindrop [2012-04-12 18:23:53 +0000 UTC]

Oh, well, goodness. Thank you so much for the comment. :0

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AimeeRaindrop In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-12 18:27:45 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome, lovely I mean it!

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trixieg In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 12:59:03 +0000 UTC]

Your boy lives on through you. He is not gone. He lives to touch everyone of us in a profound way through your words. You have birthed him, just not in the way you expected too. Thank you for having the courage to share him and yourself with us.

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pullingcandy In reply to trixieg [2012-04-12 18:28:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for this comment. It touched my heart.

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scootnoodles In reply to trixieg [2012-04-12 17:52:15 +0000 UTC]

Too true and nicely said trixieg!

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peterdawes In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 12:40:05 +0000 UTC]

this was extremely moving, and i must say, intensely personal. i hope in some way writing this was cathartic for you. i do not pretend to know what it must be like to endure such an experience. i only hope those who have commented on this piece have been gracious to you.

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pullingcandy In reply to peterdawes [2012-04-12 18:28:39 +0000 UTC]

The commentary has been quite kind so far, thank you.

And yes, it was very cathartic. It took 18 years but...I finally did it.

Thank you so much for reading it.

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peterdawes In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 13:11:53 +0000 UTC]

thank you for having the courage to share it.

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TransientTopHat In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 12:28:16 +0000 UTC]

The progression of events is vividly clear, and your imagery is affecting. But most importantly, the emotion is sincere, and because of the good craft, the pain communicates itself to the reader all the way through. A strong, memorable work.

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pullingcandy In reply to TransientTopHat [2012-04-12 18:23:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

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wolfgrrl92 In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 12:04:20 +0000 UTC]

your courage is humbling, and i too, wish that you didn't need such a disclaimer. people need to respect others' choices, and admire them for the good they do instead of thoughtlessly crucifying them. you have taken something frightening and painful, and produced a powerful piece of art. i cannot sympathize with this specific pain, but i know there is something freeing about letting go of the bottled up emotions. i wish you happiness and sunshine and most of all peace.

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pullingcandy In reply to wolfgrrl92 [2012-04-12 18:23:30 +0000 UTC]

Sadly, it wasn't my decision to make, as I was so young my family made it for me. Most specifically, my Grandmother. But either way, it was incredibly hard. And it was scarring and scary - 18 years and two other children later and I just dealt with it...

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it.

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VernR In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 12:02:05 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful is quite an understatement to describe this piece of work. Honestly, I am at a loss, for no mere sentence, nor single word can describe, no, not pity, but feelings in general. Admirable, amazing, astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring, awesome, brilliant, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, incredible, magnificent, marvelous, miraculous, outstanding, phenomenal, prime, remarkable, sensational, stupendous, super, superb, surprising, swell, terrific, tremendous, unheard-of, wondrous.

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pullingcandy In reply to VernR [2012-04-12 18:22:34 +0000 UTC]

Those words are amazing, and by proxy you are amazing for listing them off to me.

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VernR In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-12 21:43:49 +0000 UTC]

You are very welcome, and I enjoy writing, although I am quite young. (in middle school, to be exact.) I may never reach the feeling you have acquired, not by choice of course, that may be used to empower your beautiful, flowing language skills. I feel that even with that, not a single moment, but alike to an era of pain and suffering, you may rise from the deep smog that encases your scarred figure and you shall grow away from the many thorns entangled and entwined throughout your heart, your soul, your mind. And then, you will write.

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pullingcandy In reply to VernR [2012-04-12 21:46:42 +0000 UTC]

Not unlike a phoenix.

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VernR In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-12 22:06:43 +0000 UTC]

Ah, indeed.

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CottonCandyCloud In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:49:14 +0000 UTC]

thats beautiful. and so sad

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pullingcandy In reply to CottonCandyCloud [2012-04-12 18:21:52 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for reading it.

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CottonCandyCloud In reply to pullingcandy [2012-05-09 11:37:15 +0000 UTC]

no problem. its really beautiful

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ANIMAfelis In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:46:04 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This took real BALLS to write luv! I've never been in a similar situation and I sure hope I'll never be, because I have NO IDEA how I could handle something like this, even though I often wonder...
Respect. It was beautiful and extremely intense emotionally. I hope writing this helped you as well in a way.

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pullingcandy In reply to ANIMAfelis [2012-04-12 18:22:16 +0000 UTC]

I enjoy how you put balls in caps lock. It made me smile.

Thank you for reading.

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ANIMAfelis In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-16 20:19:32 +0000 UTC]

Aww, thank you for writing it luv!
Glad i could make u smile!

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Carma-Jade In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:29:03 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful written. You captured feelings that one's mind cant always express. True courage.

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pullingcandy In reply to Carma-Jade [2012-04-12 18:21:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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Bispro In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:16:59 +0000 UTC]

Highly emotional and brilliantly penned.

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pullingcandy In reply to Bispro [2012-04-12 18:21:40 +0000 UTC]

Oh my, thank you

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VelleVette In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:15:04 +0000 UTC]

This was very sad. And very brave of you to share. Thank you.

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pullingcandy In reply to VelleVette [2012-04-12 18:21:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank YOU.

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draconic-human In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:07:24 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful, and emotional, and just really well written.The imagery was great, and it flows really well.

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pullingcandy In reply to draconic-human [2012-04-12 18:21:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much.

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draconic-human In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-12 21:06:16 +0000 UTC]

your welcome.

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Monkeyies In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:06:45 +0000 UTC]

I feel great compassion...This work of literature truly holds such raw emotion that can literally be felt by everyone who reads it, and lingers even after. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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pullingcandy In reply to Monkeyies [2012-04-12 18:21:10 +0000 UTC]

And thank you, for reading it.

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Monkeyies In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-13 08:02:05 +0000 UTC]

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ulawan5 In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 11:04:35 +0000 UTC]

I'm not going to rant for too long, but you know what? I feel the same way.
no I never had an abortion(nor even a pregnancy) but I did have my life threatened in a hospital many times. I don't think anyone can ever take away the terror and sickness that we've both experienced. I want to say that you did a lovely, gorgeous job on this. I could never write out an experience like that...

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pullingcandy In reply to ulawan5 [2012-04-12 18:21:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. It was very hard to write. I'm glad I did it well.

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ulawan5 In reply to pullingcandy [2012-04-12 21:25:54 +0000 UTC]

I'm sure it was, I can't imagine how hard it was to make that decision. I had no choice in my situation...

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pullingcandy In reply to ulawan5 [2012-04-12 21:30:42 +0000 UTC]

I had no choice, either. I was just 13, my family decided for me. It was an awkward and traumatizing situation all around.

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ReygarFaust In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 10:35:54 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful work! Amazing!

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pullingcandy In reply to ReygarFaust [2012-04-12 18:09:38 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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thiefofblood In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 10:35:45 +0000 UTC]

This is wonderfully raw and beautiful - and as many have stated, sad. I've no regrets on reading it, though.

It expresses a lot of emotions, really is quite deep and well written.

Thank you for sharing something so personal with so many.

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pullingcandy In reply to thiefofblood [2012-04-12 18:21:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for reading it.

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MonsieurCrazy In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 10:30:30 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful. Heart wrenching, but beautiful.
It reminds me, though I have not experienced what you have experienced, of a realization I discovered the other week; we never get 'all better,' not really. These things that we hurt from, they leave scars that never fade. We can't go back to unblemished skin, an unblemished mind, an unblemished soul. We can't ever be unbroken again. We can only learn to live with our brokenness. And we all have brokenness; it just looks different for each of us.
Again, your work is beautiful, and, as many before me have spoken so, it is courageous. Both in the sense that you can write and post this for the world to see, and in the sense that you face those difficult questions, those inherently unknowable facts, eye to eye.
May you have peace, and blessings to you and yours.

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