Refresher: I Made the Wrong Decision
07:21 Share

Welcome to Birch Lane, where you can find a fresh take on classic furniture and decor. Every piece is handpicked and crafted to last for years to come. At Birch Lane, you can explore everything from outdoor sets to living room furniture and everything in between. And get fast, free shipping. It's classic style for joyful living. Shop now at birchlane.com.

Time now for a refresher from my Dr. Laura Call of the Day archives. Remember, you can hear my live radio program weekdays 2 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Stephanie, welcome to the program. Thank you. Hi, Stephanie. I understand you'd like to talk about a decision you made that you thought was right.

Well, at the time I thought it was right, but it definitely was not a good decision. When I...

Had turned 18 and had just graduated high school. Shortly after that, I found out I was pregnant. And I grew up in a very strict Catholic family household. I'm sorry. That is an adorable way to say I found out. It's like, you know, it happens without us doing anything. No, I knew what I was doing. Who were you having sex with?

Well, it was a one-night stand. And how did you find the guy for the one-night stand? Well, we were at the beach and he was...

was actually a police officer that was walking the beach area trying to keep things in order. And I just had a conversation with him, and he took me out for a drink later on that evening. We got together that evening. And how old were you? I had just graduated high school, and I was 18. I thought you said that.

Yes. Where did your parents think you were? Oh, they knew I was at the beach with a lot of friends. I see. Yes. Okay. So after I had made the decision to end pregnancy and have an abortion, and that is one thing that I've always regretted doing. I am 53 now.

And I've never had children. And I am married. I've been married for over 14 years in May. When I married him, the man that I married, I found I had always known shortly after I met him that he was sterile. And he was a very good man. And I had made the decision to marry him because I was already married.

getting close to being in my 40s and not being able to have children. But I'd always wanted to have children, and that was a big regret. Wait a minute. He was sterile, but why couldn't you have kids before you met him?

♪♪♪

Fourth of July savings are here at the Home Depot. So it's time to get your grilling on. Pick up the Traeger Pro Series 22 pellet grill and smoker now on special buy for $389 was $549. Smoke a rack of ribs or bacon apple pie. This grill is versatile enough to do it all. This summer, no matter how you like your steaks, your barbecues are guaranteed to be well done. Celebrate Fourth of July with fast free delivery on select grills right now at the Home Depot. It's up to you availability.

If your small business is booming, you might say, but you should say, and we'll help your growing business. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole Almonds makes for a wholly amazing, wholly delicious experience that's, well, wholly Hershey's. Everyone should get to experience the satisfying surprise of a whole almond tucked inside creamy Hershey's chocolate. So don't wait your whole life to try Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole Almonds. And if you've already had it, then chances are you're already a lifelong fan of this confectionery delight. Find Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole Almonds wherever candy is sold.

Oh, I, well, I was never married and I never wanted to be a single parent. Oh, I see. Okay. Yes. Decision, not a medical issue. Got it. Correct. It was a decision on my part not to do that, not to have that happen again. Did your parents help you through the abortion? No, they never knew. So did anybody help you?

A friend of mine did, yes, but that was the only person I ever did. Just a friend from high school. And did you talk to that police officer about it? I did. He told me to take care of it. Did he give you money? No. To take care of it? Never gave me any money. I never heard from him again after that. Well, you didn't expect to. No, I didn't.

Did that get in the way of you being able to be open-minded about relationships for some period of time? Yes. Yes, it did. In what way? Well, it made me a little bit more responsible than I had been in the past.

So I was very picky about the men that I had met and the men that I became good friends with or just became friends with. I never really...

dated or wanted to hang around with any of the men that were big players. I just didn't want to have anything to do with that. And it was harder. I guess my list of what I thought I should marry was a pretty long list. It tended to get shorter as time went on.

But all of the things that I still had on my list for a man that I wanted to meet and marry, my husband has definitely met that list. And with respect to the abortion and having children, did you feel, did guilt interfere with you thinking you had the right to be a mom? Yes, I would, I would.

I decided that, yes, I wanted to have children very desperately. And then I had changed my mind later on and said, no, I don't want to have kids. And I kept telling myself, I don't want to have kids. Don't want to have kids. But deep down inside, it really did. Did you? That's why somehow I'm not surprised that you married somebody infertile. The guilt. Yes. Have you come to peace with it at this point? Yes, in a way. And yet, no, in a way, I haven't.

I think to some extent that will always be the case. Yeah, because you're a decent person. That's the problem. Only good people feel guilt. Well, I'm happy for you that you found a good man. Thank you. And have peace with that. Yes, I do. Consider yourself hugged. Oh, thank you so much. Take care. Stephanie, thank you for calling. You're welcome.

My number, 1-800, that was really touching, 1-800-375-2872. Be sure to check out my website at drlaura.com. It's mobile friendly, has a clean cut design, easy to navigate, and you can sort my calls of the day, YouTube videos, emails.

Fourth of July savings are here at the Home Depot, so it's time to get your grilling on. Pick up the Traeger Pro Series 22-Pellet Grill and Smoker, now on special buy for $389, was $549. Smoke a rack of ribs or bacon apple pie, this grill is versatile enough to do it all. This summer, no matter how you like your steaks, your barbecues are guaranteed to be well done. Celebrate Fourth of July with fast, free delivery on select grills right now at the Home Depot. It's up to you to availability.