I surrender.

I yield. I admit my misdeeds. I repent. I have sinned by my own fault.

I have been

convinced by overwhelming response, multiple arguments, and the fear for

my life that pregnant women should have special parking privileges at

supermarkets (See my column in the June 6 edition of The Citizen).

One reader

said, "You try carrying your groceries eight months pregnant huffing

and puffing with a toddler bouncing on your hip! I used to shop at Kroger

specifically because they had those signs when I was 'at that stage in

life.'"

Another responded,

"After working all day, walking much of the time, it sure was nice

to pull up to Kroger and get one of those close parking spots. It made

me feel special. It takes a lot to make you feel special when you look

like a walking beached whale. You no longer want your husband to look

at you (even dressed) because of what your hormones have convinced you

of what he is thinking (or certainly not thinking about anymore); none

of your clothes fit; you have to use the restroom every hour on the hour;

you belch, you sweat, and at each meal all of your food feels like it

is going to re-present itself to you. Then on the way home from working

all day you get to go to the grocery store exhausted and think of meals

and food preparation for your husband and/or family. You pull into this

'reserved just for me' spot and for one tiny moment, you feel special

'expectant dads' aren't carrying another entire body inside their bodies.

Yes, 'expectant mothers' are special. They do need to walk less to the

door, and they do need reserved/special parking places and all stores

should have at least two. Besides, how would any of us be here if it weren't

for moms?"

A husband wrote,

"I was in Viet Nam in the Army during the Tet offensive in 1968,

but I have never witnessed the level bravery, leadership, and dedication

to duty that my wife demonstrated during her deliveries. On the second

delivery especially, Sue again was going all natural, and attempting this

time to do it without even an episiotomy. The baby's head was 'crowning'

and she was in transition when the fetal heart monitor suddenly stopped

beeping, indicating that the babies heart had stopped. The doctor had

to perform and immediate emergency episiotomy without any local anesthesia

... he had to make a two inch cut on her with a scissor-like instrument,

so that the baby could be pulled to the point of allowing the doctor to

cut the umbilical cord that had become entangled around her neck. Sue

had not even been given an aspirin.

"The baby

was fine. In fact, she graduated from high school last Saturday, with

honors, and will be starting at the University of Georgia this fall. My

wife has never spoken of the deliveries accept in glowing terms. A measly

parking space to recognize the miracle, and the sacrifice, and the courage

it takes to bring a new life into the world? Give me a break. Pregnancy

is grossly unrecognized. There should be a neon sign at the parking space

stating 'Do not park here! This space is in honor of the woman who is

carrying a baby, and will be delivering soon!' The space isn't there because

pregnant women are considered 'handicapped' (duh); they are there as a

small token of recognition of something that is grand, miraculous, courageous,

and worthy of recognition. A parking space for vets? I'll gladly give

mine up for a pregnant woman!"

A priest from

the "left coast" wrote, "Actually, I think it's pretty

cool. Kind of like chivalry of old or something. Only in the old South.

Here in the Pacific Northwest the storeowner would have been picketed

is god here. This is the first time I have heard of such a thing for pregnant

women. It's like giving God respect for the new life they carry that He

created in them."

A new mom wrote,

"After reading your article, I have come to the conclusion that when

you wrote it, you had been awake for 60 hours (not just 30). Just going

to the grocery store itself is a chore. Being out of breath just because

you tried to fit in your car, then tried to emerge from your car is a

real pain. It is frustrating to not be able to do the simple things you

used to do pre-pregnancy.

"The parking

spots aren't for lazy pregnant women. They are a necessity. They are designed

to keep a woman from being too out of breath and able to shop without

passing out once she reached the store. Or going into labor. Since you

are obviously a man, you probably never had to carry an infant seat into

a store soon after giving birth, by yourself. The man of the house works,

while the mother, new or otherwise, does the shopping. If the man goes

to the store it is without anyone accompanying him

"Babies

are heavy, whether they are inside your body or out. It is not a handicap

and should not be classified as such, or even put in the same category.

But it is a burden. At some churches I have seen signs that read 'Reserved

for Pastor.' At companies I've seen 'Reserved for President, CEO, Employee

of the Month,' etc. If any of the people you mentioned in the article

ever bring new life into this world, these miracles from God, then they

too should get a special parking spot. That way they can walk down all

those aisles in the store at a leisurely pace, and still not be out of

breath.

"My complaint:

There aren't enough of them. I have given birth to five beautiful healthy

babies. While pregnant, I've had to carry a child into a grocery store.

I did not get to park close to the front. Someone else was in the only

two spots for 'New and Expectant Mothers.' By the time I reached the store,

I forgot what I came to get. My arms hurt from carrying an almost two-year-old,

who would not stay still, my legs burned from walking a long distance,

plus swelled up like two balloons. I couldn't catch my breath, my face

was beet red and I was sweating profusely. Oh, did I mention that pregnant

women get fatigued very easily, as well? Then you get the curiously concerned

asking if you are all right. Talk about embarrassing. And on top of it,

you need to use the restroom, and hope you make it inside before you leak...

If you have never experienced the miracle of bearing a child, then you

should not form a negative opinion about the 'perks' a pregnant woman

gets. Because, believe me, if we could trade places with a man, we'd do

it in a heartbeat."

I admit my

wrongdoing. The spaces for pregnant women are needed, I see that

now. I promise to never park in one again ever! We may even install some

at our church! Now, will someone please call off the snipers?

[David Epps

is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, which meets

at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sundays on Highway 34 between Peachtree City and

Newnan. He may be contacted at [email protected] or at www.CTKCEC.org.]