Little Miss Piglet

My daughter, my blessing, my heart, my joy—Little Miss Piglet, can either be a handful or pleasure, and this adventure began years ago. In 2003, before I left for Tallahassee, Florida, my mother said, “Don't come home pregnant.” I came home in May of 2004, 3 months pregnant. I grabbed my credit card and booked an appointment at a Planned Parenthood clinic for an abortion. It was the scariest, most terrifying decision I have ever had to make. At the time, I was more afraid of my parents than being a parent. Not to mention, I had a 0.9 GPA, which ultimately led to academic and athletic probation.

Long story short, I returned to Florida with a humbled heart and mind. I managed to pull my GPA up to 2.75 and got my spot back on the swim team. This proved I was capable and willing to put in the work. Despite my efforts, I moved home in 2005 due to financial reasons as a result of Florida A&M University’s decision to cut its swimming and diving program.

Every day after my abortion, I silently cried and prayed for forgiveness. Guilt stricken by my decision to have an abortion, I would imagine being a mother every time I saw a baby. It took about five years for me to forgive myself. During that time, I managed to graduate from Prairie View A&M University with my bachelor’s degree and Texas A&M University with my master’s degree. Soon after, I became a teacher, doctoral candidate, and coach for high school track & field and USA swimming. Things were going well, and I was blessed beyond measure. January 2018 was the year of new beginnings, or so I thought because I was pregnant and in a new relationship; however, within weeks of finding out I was pregnant, I had a miscarriage.

Fast forward. Father’s Day weekend 2019, I presented my boyfriend with our pregnancy results. We were pregnant! I should have been stressed out and worried the entire pregnancy because I was unemployed and dipping deeply into my savings to stay afloat. The pregnancy, my hair, and the baby shower were beautiful—if I could do it again, I would.

On January 27, 2020, my physician’s nurse called me at 10 in the morning, saying, “Pack your bags; your protein levels are too high. We’re going to induce you.” I calmly called my mother and boyfriend to inform them of the news I’d received. As expected, they had a thousand questions. I was calm during admission, but after the induction, everyone and everything was cursed out. I could see the worry and fear in my boyfriend's eyes, and all I could do was stay strong for him. At noon, January 28th, I felt Piglet coming. At 1:00 pm, she popped out healthy and attentive.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. We have been inseparable. Little Miss Piglet is a happy, loving, intuitive, curious, dramatic, and sassy young lady. If I could do it again, I would.