Page 305 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

The Measure of Strength
Blue. It was the most noticeable thing in the room. I

was terrified. Everyone in the room was terrified. I had

been here and done this before, but this time was
different, much different. It was so different in fact

that I didn’t know if I would survive it—if he would

survive it. I was about to learn the very important

lesson about how strong a person can be when it’s the

only choice.

This wasn’t my first pregnancy. In fact, my first child

was born prematurely at only thirty-one weeks gestation.

Being a new parent, it was definitely a challenge

raising a preemie. I told myself that if I had more
children, I would plan perfectly and be prepared for

anything. Despite my best efforts, life had its own

plans. From the moment I found out I was pregnant again,

I constructed a massive to-do list because,

unfortunately, I would be on my own through most of the
pregnancy.

“It’s a boy!” I said to his father across the phone

line to Camp Fallujah, Iraq.

“No way! Really?” his father said in the most excited
voice I have ever heard.

“Really,” I said, giggling. “I will email you the

ultrasound pictures.”