“Congratulations, you have a beautiful baby boy! ” my mother said as she rubbed my head with the biggest smile I think I had ever seen. Last year I would have never thought that I would be a mother a year later, especially not at the age of 16. I could still remember when my brother and sister were little and I would have to take care of them all the time. At least with them the responsibility was not all mines. This was “my child. ” I would have to make sure he was fed, bathed, changed, and happy. The thought of being responsible for another life was beginning to scare me a little, but it was too late to go back now.
The first day was not as bad as I expected. All of my friends had come to the hospital to see the baby, showering me and him with gifts. The nurses on the floor were great. My favorite was a lady named Michelle. She would come into my room every morning at 6:30 to take my vitals and she always had the sweetest things to say. It was like she could sense my fear. She would always say, “don’t worry baby girl, you are going to be a great mother, I can tell. ” It really made my day to hear her voice. We went home on a Wednesday afternoon. It was a beautiful August day.
The sun was extra bright, probly because I had been in a hospital room for the past three days, and there was a warm breeze that made the ride home great. When we pulled up in front of the house the street was lined with cars. I could hear music playing and the smell of BBQ. There were so many familiar faces. My aunts and uncles, cousins, friends. I could see a Welcome Home banner over the garage and I immediately began smiling. This was all for my baby! I was so shocked. As I stepped out of the car everyone began to run over. There were hugs and “congratulations” coming from every direction.
This was the best day of my life. I finally got the baby into the house and as I made my way to my room my father stopped me. “This is not for you, it’s for my grandson. ” He said and then stepped aside. Naturally, I thought he was talking about everyone getting together at the house and the BBQ. As I opened my bedroom door my jaw hit the floor! He had redone my whole room! The walls were painted, there was new carpet, the crib I had put on lay-a-way, a new comforter on my bed, and everything and I mean everything I could ever need for my son. I burst into tears! I could not believe he had done all this in just three days.
Not to mention that he was totally against me having my baby. Three months ago we had the biggest argument and he told me he would never forgive me for ruining my life. I honestly didn’t expect any of this and it really meant so much to finally have his approval. After I finally stopped crying and got the baby settled in his new bed I went out front to find my father. He was right where I knew he would be, on the grill! He gave me the biggest smile, and I gave him the biggest hug. It was at that moment that all my fears went out the window. I knew with the support of my father, there was no way I could fail at being a mother.
