by Tattoo Highway. It tied for second place in their “Picture Worth 500 Words” contest. Check out the story here, then come back and read my comments, and then pass on any feedback or comments you might have for me!

When I was writing this story I was responding to the feeling that the picture inspired in me, of a woman grasping at insubstantial children, heavy with sorrow? Fear? Shame? And I thought of a woman, reciting the names of children, shame, guilt, sorrow, something weighing her down, and I was drawn into the trip she took recently, to an abortion clinic two hours away. No one knew she was pregnant, and she had reserved a room for afterwards as they told her she couldn’t drive.

But did she go through with it? I honestly don’t know. She was questioning, but in the church she was weighed down by something. I don’t know if it was regret or shame, fear because she had, or fear because she hadn’t. I think people will interpret it differently, but this is her story, all of it. All I have is a snapshot of her, and that is ok.