When I was 17 years old, my mom gave me her testimony. She told me her whole story… and I was left in tears. My mom has been through hell – and you would never know it. It was so inspiring for me to hear where she came from and see where she is now, so I’d like to share it with you guys as well. This is only a brief summary of her story, and there is so much more to it, but I want to highlight these points specifically because I believe they are important to talk about.
It started in high school. She was raised Catholic by her parents, but told me how disconnected she felt from them. Although she knows her parents love her very much, she felt like she hadn’t received the love that she needed.
She was in band in high school, and was very close with her band teacher. One night when she was 16 years old, she was babysitting his daughter while he visited his wife and newborn son at the hospital. He told her there was beer in the fridge and that she could help herself. She had only had a couple, but when he returned home, one thing led to another, and despite her saying “no!” and trying to get away, he raped her.
“He was my band teacher and everyone loved him. Even though I said no, I still thought he did it out of love.”
My mom was raped and told that it was love.
“My innocence was taken from me and I didn’t care anymore. I was always told to wait until marriage and I was planning on doing that. The next morning I remember sitting on the toilet thinking I was ruined – worthless. Soon after the incident I found him with a new girl, and I was rejected. This is what began my decline.”
“At the time I was dating a guy who my parents did not like at all. His parents were very pro-abortion and had very different values than my family. To my horror, I found out I was pregnant at 17 years old. I screwed up again. So of course, his parents pressured abortion on me. I couldn’t face the shame I would bring my parents, and I gave in. I got an abortion.”
The woman’s health clinic that my mom went to for “counseling” had no regard for the distress she was in. She said she was really struggling because she’s pro-life and she had been picketing and part of the pro-life movement, and the woman’s only response was: “well you won’t be doing that anymore, will you?” She didn’t receive any other options and was pressured towards her abortion.
“I was silenced with shame from my environment that only mocked me and pushed me towards abortion.”
After her abortion, she spiraled downward into more promiscuity, drugs, and alcohol.
The emotional trauma that she carried with her for years was not quite as much about being raped as it was about killing her child.
My mom was invited by a (non-Catholic) friend to a revival at her church in which she decided to give her life to the Lord. This began the 30 years of healing, counseling, and post abortion groups. Even after that, she needed more healing. She began some intense sessions of confessions and healing with our pastor at the time. She wound up receiving the graces to forgive her teacher, and said that she knew it was sincere because she woke up the next morning with deep compassion and love for him, and she prayed for his soul.
Through this healing, she gained a deep devotion and connection to Mary, more specifically Our Lady of Guadeloupe, who she found out is the patron of the unborn.
Today my mom is my inspiration and everything that I strive to be as a woman. She exemplifies Our Lady in so many ways, but especially in her motherly heart. Her love, generosity, and perseverance are extraordinary.
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Mom, I love you so much. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me and our family. You’ve been an incredible model for me as a wife, mother, and Catholic. Thank you.
