Chapter One starts off with an EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE: ""SUFFOCATE HER!' the midwife told my mother when I came into the world"(Hayslip, 1). Bay Ly's life was almost cut short. Because she was such a small baby, the midwife thought that she would never be able to survive. Her mother was 41 when she became pregnant with Bay Ly, and pregnancies that occur after the age of 35 are high-risk pregnancies. After that age, there is a greater likelihood of genetic mutations and prenatal complications due to the mother's age. As I read through this chapter, it made me think of all the babies who were never expected to have a chance. Whether it be a premature baby or an adopted baby, we all know one of these children who had little hope at birth. With the adopted babies, their birthmothers could have easily ended their children's lives. As I was reading the chapter, it made me think of my birthmother who had the option to terminate my existence. In my humble opinion, this whole chapter is not about giving hope to the hopeless, but finding hope in despair.
"Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light."~Albus Dumbledore Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
