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20 and On My Own
By Mellery
I became pregnant at the age of 20. I'd spent three semesters away at college and soon realized that college wasn't for me. The last year of college during the month of December I became pregnant with my first child. I did not know what to do or what I was going to do. Nevertheless, I was a child myself having a child. I didn't have a boyfriend at the time and my daughter's sperm donor didn't want to step up to the plate and take responsibility. I told him that I was pregnant and his words to me were, Well, what are you going to do about it? I couldn't believe what I had just heard. At that point I knew that I would be raising this child alone.
My pregnancy went fine and I delivered Jai'lyn Symone' on September 8, 1996 at 5:20 a.m. I had natural childbirth and I'll never forget the experience and long as I live. All children are a blessing from God and my daughter has helped mature me to a young woman. Although, being a single parent isn't easy, it's the toughest job you'll ever love. I'm grateful for Jai'lyn and I thank God everyday for her.
