One brisk, cold day in Montclair, NJ – where abortion is legal without restrictions – women were hurriedly shuffling in and out of the Pilgrim abortion facility.
“My day of the week to go out to the abortion facility is Tuesday,” Cecelia, a Montclair Sidewalk Advocate, shared. “But that week, providentially, I had to switch to Wednesday.” Partnered with Dom, a fellow Sidewalk Advocate, she started her shift, trying to reach pregnant moms with life-affirming resources.
A young woman caught their attention, and Cecelia made the first move to start a conversation. Dom eventually followed, and they got to know a mom (we’ll call her Madge), who has two children, ages 7 and 3. Madge explained to them that she was in a difficult situation, facing an unexpected pregnancy, lacking family support – and the father was pressuring her to abort.
Madge had originally sought the abortion pill but, at 11 weeks, she was too far along in her pregnancy. Instead, she was referred for a surgical abortion. “A lot of the women who enter either ignore us or say not nice things, so we felt really exhilarated that Madge stopped to listen and talk with us,” Cecelia shared.
Madge asked the advocates: “Why are you here?”
Dom answered her question with his own. “Why do you think we’re here?”
After some time, Madge answered, “You’re here because all life is precious.” After that, she told Cecelia and Dom that she wanted to visit the local pregnancy center. Cecelia walked there with her. Once inside, she talked with the staff and – despite all the challenges facing her – chose life for her child! She was able to secure financial support, as well as temporary housing, to help her through the pregnancy.
Today, Madge has a beautiful two-month-old daughter whom she loves unconditionally. She recently told Cecelia,
Having my baby has really transformed me. I’m giving my life to God more – I couldn’t have anticipated how much I’d love her.
Now I can’t even wrap my head around losing her. You were my sign from God to choose life. If you weren’t there, it would have been an eternal tragedy … one thing I know I could never go back in time (to fix).
Cecelia is overjoyed that Madge and her children are happy and well. “She is so happy and grateful – despite the fact that her life is not easy. I just wish every woman could choose life like she did!”
Submitted by Sidewalk Advocates for Life – Montclair, NJ
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You can help more moms like Madge find the support and courage they need to Choose Life! Make a gift of life at sidewalkadvocates.org/give.