We know that abortion affects the baby, mother, and oftentimes father, but what about the grandparents?
Janet A. Morana is the Executive Director of Priests for Life and the Co-Founder of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, the world’s largest mobilization of women and men who have lost children to abortion. She shares her own experience of being a grandmother who lost her grand-baby to abortion.
Janet had no idea that while her daughter, Kelly, was away at school she got pregnant and then had an abortion.
“[She] didn’t tell me; I didn’t know for several years later. She dropped out of school after a few months claiming to be homesick and wanted to come home. She eventually took the rest of that year off and went back into college the following year, but it wasn’t until about two years later that she actually told me.”
The shock of not having known and been a part of the decision making had a large impact on Janet.
“I said to her, ‘Kelly, you know I would have helped you through this, with all the work I do. Daddy and I are pro-life. This was our grandchild.’ I said, ‘Why, oh why, didn’t you come to me?’”
Kelly responded that she was afraid of disappointing her parents. This isn’t an uncommon answer, either. It’s that shame that sends the kids into a panic and ultimately leads to the abortion.
Thankfully though, they both know the Lord, and they know that Kelly is forgiven. She has learned to forgive herself, as well, and they have been able to continue to move forward, although they will always recall.
