After a decade-long search Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn soon thereafter that he has died―without answering her burning questions. Then her birth mother’s parents say they are unable to pass along Melissa’s letter. Years later, when she finally hears from the woman who carried her and gave her life, she finds out why. But the shocking truth is more than she can bear.
Yet even the most startling family secrets are eclipsed by the triumphant moment when Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. And she reveals how―through the miscarriage of her only son, the birth of a second daughter
with complex health issues, and her own birth mother’s story―she gained a deep empathy for every woman who has had an abortion.
Like none other, this intensely personal story of love and redemption cuts through the debates surrounding a divisive contemporary issue to touch our common humanity.
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Meet the Author:
Melissa Ohden was fourteen when she learned that she was an abortion survivor. In her memoir, You Carried Me, she describes her decade-long search to find and forgive her biological parents. Her personal story of love and redemption cuts through the debates surrounding a divisive issue to touch our common humanity. It highlights the complexity of the abortion issue and invites more understanding and compassion for every woman impacted by abortion. Melissa Ohden founded the Abortion Survivors Network and speaks nationwide. With a master’s degree in social work, she has worked in the fields of substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and child welfare.Find out more about her work here
My Take:
This is just an incredible story of God's grace, love, and faith. It is so moving. As I read Melissa's story of her birth, her adoptive parents, their love for her and finding her birth mother, I am overwhelmed. Melissa's journey is emotionally difficult to follow. Knowing all she experienced and the condition of our country today with the readily available abortions breaks my heart. Thankfully, God has been able to use Melissa to help in the lives of many women and influence their decision making process.
Melissa tells the story beginning with her hospital survival, her adoptive foster parents, and her life growing up in their family. The typical American family which began on a farm, but eventually ended up in the city with both her parents working and life changing. At the young age of 14, Melissa finds out she was the survivor of a botched abortion, and not in the most pleasant way. Always the overachiever, peace keeper, Melissa managed to hide her pain from those around her. But not without going through many inner struggles which led her to do "things" to help her escape the pain of knowing she wasn't wanted by her birth mother.
Handling anger, shame, and fear, Melissa against all odds, found a way to keep hold of her faith and her life verse, chosen at 16, became "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you..." Jeremiah 1:5. She began a search for her birth mother, which took a decade to come to fruition and revealed secrets she never imagined. She also became an advocate for the unborn, as well as, starting the Abortion Survivors Network, for those who have gone through similar experiences as herself. She also found empathy for those who have chosen the path of abortion whether willingly or otherwise.
This is a powerful emotionally moving story that documents Melissa's journey to faith and forgiveness. An inspirational story that needs to be read! I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy courtesy of Handlebar to review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to review it positively.
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