Jessica O’ Rear

The Signal

My mornings are hectic. No matter what time I get up or how many things I do the night before to get ready, I can almost guarantee that I will be running behind schedule.

I wake up exhausted because I stayed up until 1 a.m. the night before trying to finish an assignment that is already a day late. It’s hard to get everything done when I’m taking 15 hours of classes. Do I sound like the typical college student? Add on a full-time job and a small child; then you get a clearer picture of my life.

During my senior year of high school, I was in the top 10 percent of my class and in the top choir at Clear Creek High School. I was accepted early to Texas A&M University. I thought I had everything carefully planned for my future. Life, on the other hand, was about to deal me a different set of cards.

About a month after I graduated high school, I found out that I was pregnant with my son, Branson. Not only was I scared about what the future would hold, I was also confused. My closest friends and even my sister insisted I get an abortion. They didn’t think I could support a child on my own.

My mom and dad, also unsure of my ability to raise a child, initially urged me to look into adoption. However, I knew that I was destined to take on the challenge in front of me. I made up my mind, convinced my friends and family would eventually learn to accept my decision.

Friends have asked me how I manage to work, complete my homework assignments and spend time with my son. My answer is simple: sacrifice. I make time. I stay up late to work on homework after Branson goes to bed. While my peers are out with friends, I am at home watching “Scooby Doo” or “Tom and Jerry.” Instead of planning my next road trip, I’m planning my son’s fifth birthday party.

I’ll admit that I have wondered at times if this whole BA was really a bunch of BS. I’ve wondered if I would EVER finish school. Six years later and here I am, a few months away from graduating. I have also accomplished another life goal: I recently became a homeowner. As for Branson, he is sadly no longer my little baby; he will be starting kindergarten in the fall.

I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of my dreams without the support of my boyfriend and, especially, without help from my parents. My mom and dad have done more than I could have ever asked of them. After Branson was born, they were completely accepting and loving toward my son. They care for Branson when needed so I can work to help support him and finish my college education. I determind from the start of my pregnancy that I wasn’t going to be one of the 98 percent of teen moms who don’t finish college before the age of 30.

Even though some people look at teenage pregnancies as devastating situations, I look at Branson as an unexpected blessing. I’ve never thought of Branson as a mistake. Instead, he is the sole purpose for my success.

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