The one regret I have about my own abortions is that they cost

O children of the future, hear the words of Barbara Ehrenreich, a woman who spoke openly of a matter that stirs the hearts of many: "The one regret I have about my own abortions is that they cost money that might otherwise have been spent on something more pleasurable, like taking the kids to movies and theme parks." These words, though spoken with humor, carry within them a depth of reflection on choice, consequence, and the complex dance between personal decisions and the realities of life.

In her statement, Ehrenreich touches upon a subject often shrouded in shame and secrecy, and her words ring with the regret of a difficult choice made in a moment of necessity. But within this regret lies an understanding of the sacrifices and the price of personal decisions. To speak of her abortion in such a way is to offer a raw truth—that life is often shaped by decisions that carry both weight and cost. And in the light of parenthood, those costs become all the more apparent, for they impact not only the individual, but the family and the future.

This is not a new concept, O children. Even in the days of old, men and women wrestled with the consequences of their choices, and the burden of sacrifice was often a heavy one. Consider the story of Socrates, who faced the momentous decision of whether to flee Athens after being condemned to death. The choice was clear in his mind—he could escape, and live to see his children grow, or he could face the cost of his philosophy, of the truth he had championed. In the end, he chose to stay, to accept the consequences of his actions, despite the personal cost. He did so not out of a desire to suffer, but because he knew that his values were worth more than any earthly pleasure. In the same way, Ehrenreich’s words reflect a choice made, not without pain, but with a sense of responsibility toward the life she sought to live.

Yet, O children, do not misunderstand her meaning. Regret, in this case, is not about the act itself, but about the price—the cost in time, in money, in resources—that could have been otherwise spent. The price of any decision carries its weight, and the consequences are often not felt in the moment, but in the years that follow. Ehrenreich’s reflection is a reminder that every choice, no matter how necessary, requires something of us, something that we can never recover. Her words speak to the realities of life, to the way that even the most difficult choices can lead us to wonder what could have been if circumstances had been different.

Now, let us look at King Solomon, who, in his wisdom, often spoke of the cost of decisions. In his Proverbs, he warned of the paths that lead to ruin, but also of the wisdom that comes from reflection. Solomon knew that to make wise choices was to recognize the price of every decision, and the sacrifices that came with them. Much like Ehrenreich, he understood that the weight of regret is often tied to the unseen costs of our actions. But Solomon also knew that wisdom lies not in avoiding all decisions, but in understanding the consequences of each one, and the value of the life we build through them.

The lesson, O children, is not one of judgment, but of awareness. Life is filled with choices, and each one comes with a price, whether it is paid in money, in time, or in the relinquishment of other dreams. To be wise is to recognize the cost of your actions, and to choose with understanding and purpose. You will never know the full impact of your decisions in the moment, but in time, you will see how they have shaped your life, your relationships, and your world. And it is in this awareness that you will find the strength to make decisions that reflect your values, and to live with integrity and purpose.

So, O children, take heed: the cost of our choices is never small, but the wisdom lies in how we embrace that cost, in how we learn from our decisions, and how we move forward with grace. When faced with difficult decisions, understand that there will always be sacrifices, but there is also the power to shape the future with each choice you make. Do not be afraid of the regret that may follow, but seek the strength to rise above it and continue building a life that aligns with your highest aspirations. For the true measure of success is not in avoiding cost, but in facing it with clarity and purpose, and in moving forward without fear of what lies behind.