Ashley Harrison

MY MULTIGENRE PROJECT

“I am five months pregnant.” The words took me by surprise. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or be angry. So many different emotions and thoughts were racing through my mind: “A baby?! Does she know the responsibility it takes to raise a child? And after mom, having us [my sister and I] when she was 15 years old? How could she do this to her?” I did not know how to respond to this news. MY baby sister [Audrey] was pregnant. She was a baby herself at the age of 20 years old. It took some time for this news to settle in, it seem to drive a wedge between her and I at first. We didn’t speak much, but I soon realized that I was being selfish and she needed me. We are and will always be family. No matter what, we stick together. Shortly after finding out the news, my mom was quick to set things in place, as I knew she would do. Within a day or two she had all the information that Audrey needed. Would she keep the baby or give it up for adoption?

Well after things settled in, and Audrey moved out for the last four months of pregnancy to Florence Crittenton, (all girls pregnancy center) the family began to take this time to let everything soak in. I remember my parents anger and frustration. Wondering how and why she did this. For me, I tried hard to stay busy, constantly so that I didn’t have to think about it. Throughout this time, she made the tough decision of giving the baby up for adoption to a family from our church. Everything worked out perfectly and Audrey began to mature and I noticed how sweet she was being, her heart was softened through this entire process, and her attitude was changing drastically.

When it finally came time for the birth of baby Joshua, April 7 th 2014, I was at the hospital for support. I couldn’t believe how perfect he was when holding him. I remember all the emotions going through my mind: “Wow, I have a nephew. And he is going to be with a new family.” As sad I was that I would not be there everyday to see this sweet baby grow up, I knew that my sister had made the right decision and he was going to amazing, godly people who will love and care for him like Audrey couldn’t.” She made the hardest decision of her life, but it was the right thing to do and I am so proud of the woman she has become throughout all of this. And we have a much closer relationship because of this now. ------

-Narrative piece

Me, my mom (left) and Audrey (right) during the pregnancy at Florence Crittenton

So blessed to have an amazing sister (right) and I will always be there for you! We always have a good time together .

Choose Life. I am only a baby, I live and breathe within you. I feel you. I have a heartbeat. I know that this might be scary for you, you do not know how you will take care of me. You have so many questions and concerns. You do not know how to feel about all of this. You know that I am a lot of work and responsibility, but I promise you I will bring much joy to the world, and I will make you proud one day. I will grow up to be big and strong. I can promise you that I will have moments when I will annoy you, and I will have many moments when I will light up your world. I deserve to have the chance at life. I deserve to feel the emotions you feel- happiness and sadness, love and hate. I am an innocent babe who does not have a voice in this world. But you do, you have a choice. So choose life. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139: 13-Persuasive piece

Adoption is the process of taking on the role of parenting to a child or children who are not “biologically” yours. In doing so, the rights of the biological parents are terminated. Adoption has been a part of history since the beginning of time. Adoption is a common custom among people, even the wealthy and celebrities. For example, Brad Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie have adopted six children from different countries. This is a wonderful way for parents who can not have children to adopt. My mother is a birth mom to the young boy pictured above. He is now thirteen years old and in a loving home with parent who love and support him. This is an open adoptions so we have the opportunity to get together with them and keep in touch with them. Adoption brings joy to many people.-Informational Piece

Ethan Cammer and family

Dear Joshua,

As saddened as I am that you are not here with us now, I know that your mother, Audrey, made the right decision to give you to a loving caring family. Know that she loved you enough to give you the blessing of two parents, something that she nor your biological father could ever do themselves. Know that the parents you will call mom and dad, and the care-free innocent sister [Leah] you have will always love you and be there for you no matter what. Stay true to who you are, look to the Lord for guidance and comfort in time of need, and know that you always have an Aunt who will always love you and be here for you no matter what! I look forward to watching you grow up and I am excited to be part of your life, seeing as Audrey choose to do an open adoption. Just as you were adopted into your new family, Christ adopts us into his family and loves us unconditionally. Know you have a heavenly Father who is always there when you need a shoulder to lean on and He loves you completely.

Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined us for adoption to son-ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” -Letter to Joshua (Other)

You are precious to our sight

Lovely, sweet, and beautiful

Your smile beams in the room

We “oo” and “ah” over you

All emotions go out the window

I can not stop staring at you

Your fingers and toes are so tiny

You curl up in a bawl and sleep

I love you Joshua,

I love you Joshua,

Is all that I can seem to think

I love you Joshua,

I love you Joshua

Is all that I can seem to speak.-Poem to Joshua (Other)

Author’s Slide

My name is Ashley Harrison. I am in the Elementary Education program at UNC Charlotte. I have one more year left of school, and will be the first college graduate in my family next year in Spring 2015. I am a very driven, motivated person. I work very hard and I am a perfectionist when it comes to school. I am a very busy person. I work two jobs- as a nanny, and at Vida! Vida! uptown. I love being a nanny and I enjoy my job uptown. My purpose for writing this book was to express my feeling towards the adoption. I haven’t really had a chance to think about it or reflect on it, so I wanted to take the time to do that. My intended audience is my family/Joshua/the Miller family (the family that adopted Joshua).