My Abortions Made Me a Mom

Article originally appeared in Rewire on May 3rd, 2021

I love Mother’s Day. It is a day dedicated to loving and pampering my mom, a single parent who has made so many sacrifices for me. I enjoy the opportunity to shower her with cards, gifts, and affirmations—from a distance, as she lives back home in Pakistan.

Growing up, my mom always said, “You’ll know when you become a mom,” and like most kids, I rolled my eyes. Although, now that I am a mom—by choice—I can say that she was absolutely right. Mothers will go to extraordinary lengths to do right by their children.

I have made many decisions that are making my daughter’s life possible, and I am so thankful to my mom for teaching me to make the right decision, no matter how difficult it may be.