“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged . . .” Proverbs 17:6
Our clients often come in by themselves, not wanting their parents to know they are using our services. However, clients’ parents come through our doors as well. Sometimes they come as their unborn grandchild’s greatest advocate. And sometimes they come pushing for their daughter or son to abort that grandchild. For some of our clients, choosing life means losing their support system.
When Jessie* found herself pregnant, she and Will were without a place to live and without the background to know anything about raising a child. They were feeling very alone. Choices PRC was there to advocate for the life of their child, to cheer them on and to refer them to other organizations and services that would benefit them. They were able to learn what to expect with pregnancy and parenting through Choices’ Earn While You Learn program. But they needed more. Learning of their situation, Will’s grandmother, Miss Clarice, took them in and became the full-time champion this scared, abortion-vulnerable couple really needed.
Miss Clarice was there to help Jessie with her EWYL homework and to coach her in the delivery room. She is still there sharing her wisdom as they raise baby Isaiah. With her encouragement, they will soon become husband and wife.
Miss Clarice and Jessie brought Isaiah to the center so we could meet him. Miss Clarice thanked Jessie’s client advocate for being a “blessing and encouragement.” But in reality, she has been blessing, encouragement and inspiration to us. And we couldn’t help noticing that holding her great-grandchild, she beamed as though he was her crowning glory.
*names and some identifying details have been changed due to confidentiality
