Teenage Mothers

Years ago, my husband and I provided room in our home
for unwed mothers...

Photo credit: crochet-kingdom.com

BLUE BOOTIES[1]

I came across a pair of blue baby booties

Funny how the mind holds on to things

then whisked me through decades

back to when I was in the hospital

maternity unit labor room, coaching

my foster daughter, Lisa, in Lamaze

because her boyfriend’s mother

wouldn’t allow him to be with her

when the time came

for their baby to be born

When the doctor arrived

to examine her, I stepped out of the room

A nurse approached me in the hallway

to say there was another teenager

in active labor in the next room

She was overwrought and afraid

Would I sit with her a while

LaShanda was alone, struggling

to bear the labor pains

crying and truly terrified

I can’t remember what I said

to calm her, but do recall

my being there had a quieting effect

We engaged in small talk

between her contractions

She told me her mother had to work

and couldn’t be at her side

Taking hold of her hand

I offered to say a prayer for LaShanda

and her baby. She agreed

so I softly lifted them up to God

for a safe delivery

and a healthy baby

and peace

then I wished her well

and returned to Lisa

who gave birth to a son

a few hours later

In a few days

when both girls were preparing

to go home with their newborns

LaShanda appeared in Lisa’s doorway

She smiled as she handed Lisa

a pair of little blue booties—

These are for your Joey, she said

My mother crocheted them

for him, last night

We are so grateful

for the labor room visit

and the prayer

Maude Carolan Pych

[1] The story in this poem is true, but the names of the girls have been changed.