by Mellisa Lemons

Created on: August 21, 2008

The list of the top 10 things I would want to do in my life changed almost instantly with the appearance of two pink lines. I graduated college May 13, 2008, at the age of 25. A summer full of concerts that I had planned as a graduation gift to myself lay ahead of me! I was so excited to go and party all summer, drinking with my friends, having a carefree celebration that lasted all summer long. The night we went out for drinks after my graduation, I just couldn't seem to drink, I wasn't feeling too hot, I was pretty tired. A week later, still feeling just out of place, I took a pregnanacy test...then another....then another...all with the same outcome, Pregnant. Hmm, I had just graduated college, was not married, was still living at home....not exactly how I saw pregnancy playing out in my mind! Once I had it confirmed by a Doctor that I was in fact pregnant so many different thoughts began to flood my mind. Before, my list of things I want to do with my life read something like at Atlas. I want to spend New Years Eve in New York City, I want to travel across Europe, Visit Italy, Spain, take an Alaskan cruise, take a cruise to the Caribbean, see Australia, I wanted to pack up in an RV and just drive across the United States, seeing what there was to see. I wanted to do all that I could do, and see everything that I could see. But in that instant, when my baby appeared on that monitor and I heard that heartbeat, everything I wanted to do in my life changed. First, I want to show my child how to love and have understanding, show them that every person in this world serves a purpose, no matter how different they may be than you, show them that does not mean that you are better or worse than them, just different. Next, I want to give them the desire to learn, to never want to stop knowing more. The third, but actually should be the first, I want to teach my child about God, I am a person of faith and I know that my baby is a gift and a blessing. I know that through God, faith and prayer, I can help my child do anything, and I want them to know the same. Fourth on my list is appreciation, for everyone and every thing around them. Next, I want to teach them something that I myself always struggled with, living in the moment, I want to teach them not to worry so much about what is going to happen, but enjoy what is going on right now, worry will not solve anything. Sixth, I want to teach my child to never walk away in anger, those hurtful words that may have been spoken, could be the last thing a person ever hears you say, and I know you would never want that. Seventh, I want to teach my child, boy or girl, to cook one dish, that is their specialty, and that people always want them to bring to gatherings. Eighth, I want to see my child experience a moment of triumph, whether it be a goal they have set, or an obstacle they have overcome, I want to see their face as they realize they have reached that goal! Ninth, I want to help my child when they are hurting. No parent ever wishes their child to hurt, however, its part of life, a part that no one looks forward to, but always knows could happen at any time. When that moment comes for my child, I want to be there to help them, no matter what the pain. And finally, I want to watch my child share what they know, and the things they have learned in life with their children. I want to watch as they feel all of the things that I feel now, and I want to see them show their smiling face to their child and share the wisdom I shared with them as their own.

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