Our Walk for Life

PROLOGUE

I cannot tell the story about our Walk without telling about what happened before it all began.  I would like to think that our story begins almost 25 years ago.  Our Pro-life story is not news worthy to most but to us it was life changing.

Michael and I met and had a great time...we met during finals week in May 1992.  Then we went our separate ways for the summer, and corresponded by phone and a few letters.  The next fall we met up again and through bad choices conceived a beautiful little girl!  Not a story most want to hear about two practicing Catholics, but we have never felt the need to hide the truth.  For the most part, we had the support of family and friends and we promised to make our bad choices into a life together with God's graces.  It is hard to forget this fact, when we recall the words spoken by our priest that united us together as a family in July 1993.  In all of our years of married life--the good,the bad, and the ugly--we have always felt God in our lives.

It would not be until 2004 that we became fully involved in the active Pro-life community.  I had heard about a small group of Pro-lifers gathering to start a new organization and I felt called to attend the meeting.  I tried to assist with the little I knew but when I suggested our group join the national campaign for 40 Days for Life in 2007, things changed.  There was no interest from the leader of the group, so I took up the reins to organize the efforts.  The leader of that organization soon stepped down and dissolved the local group (for reasons not related to my efforts).  The only real organization for the community was then on me.  WHAT!?!  I just wanted to pray for the unborn and maybe help the women who came to the local clinic!  I was not a leader...give me the peon labor in the background.  I had one of those moments in my life when I could relate to Moses...not me Lord!

However, in God's graces, I was able to lead a successful local campaign that fall of 2007.  A lot of crazy things happened during that campaign and there was news coverage that I never expected but we made it through the 40 days and then began to think about the future of those who came out to pray.  We never had an organized group again but we did have those who faithfully gave of their time to stand and pray in front of our Planned Parenthood clinic.

One thing that came to the surface during this campaign was the new location would be opening soon and there was concern that abortions would be performed there (at this time the clinic only referred patients to their larger clinic 2 hours away).  We would continue to pray at this new location for the next six years and this would include an additional five 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Then in May 2013, Michael told me we would probably need to move again.  I was feeling very low at this point of our journey.  I did not want to move and felt that there was still work to be done on the Pro-life efforts in Lufkin.  In June, the Texas legislators began efforts to enhance the medical care for women.  Pro-lifers from all over the state were going to Austin to rally in support of these new laws.  I was so happy to be able to join others on July 1.  When I returned from that trip, Michael said that he had accepted a job in San Antonio and we needed to move as soon as possible.  I still had a burden to help the women of our community.  I was feeling so low, but God had a plan.  I needed to be patient.

Last time we prayed in front of the closed PP clinic in Lufkin

I will never forget that moment of joy!  Just a few days later, I answered the call from our dear friend, David Bereit.  I was happy to hear from him, but when he asked me if I heard the news, I was clueless.  Then he gave the news I had prayed to happen for almost nine years!  Our Lufkin clinic was closing!  I was so excited...whooping and hollering...dancing...and crying!  I know my children thought I was a crazy woman!  I told David what was happening in our lives.  We both agreed that God had an amazing way of closing one door to open another.

We were quick to be involved in Pro-life efforts in San Antonio.  We began to pray at three different abortion clinics and I started volunteering at a pregnancy help center once a week.  I also had the joy of becoming a doula to assist women during the first months of postpartum care.  After moving to California, we have also prayed at an abortion clinic.

I knew as soon as we made the move to California that I wanted to attend the Walk for Life in San Francisco.  We made arrangements to stay at a convent near the rally.  All the plans were set and then...I got sick...so sick I was stuck in bed for several days and took a trip to the doctor on Wednesday (I almost never go to the doctor!).  I was so worried that I was not going to make to this event....but by Friday afternoon, I was well enough.  I am so thankful for my children who got everything ready for the trip!

WALK FOR LIFE SAN FRANCISCO

We arrived at the St. Anne's Home on Friday evening.  We met some other sojourners in our temporary quarters.  The youth were quick to be included in some games before lights out.

The next morning everyone was up early in hopes to find parking (or walk the three miles) close to the activities.  We parked at the halfway point of the walk...then made the trek back to St. Mary's Cathedral (2 miles).

The church filled quickly but we were fortunate to find seating and even had time to walk around to see the beautiful artwork.  We had the joy of our friends Paige and Jessica joining us for Mass.  It was so exciting to see the line of priests and bishops in the opening procession.  We counted 35 priests and six bishops!  There were MANY more priests in the pews and standing throughout the cathedral as well.


The Archbishop Cordileone reminded us that being Pro-life is about showing the dignity of life from conception until natural death.  We cannot forget the various aspects of showing this in our society.  He said,  “…there are those who would defend the practice [selling the body ports of aborted children] by deflecting the argument to questions of legal technicalities regarding what is and is not against the law, thus side-stepping the real question, the much bigger question. But the big question cannot be ignored, it has to be answered, there is no getting around it: What does this say about us as a society?”


We left the Mass ready to head to the rally (1 mile) but it had begun to rain.  Each time we would open our umbrellas, it would stop raining!  By the time we arrived at the rally, the speakers had begun.  We tried to listen from the back of the crowd but could not hear well.

So...we decided to keep the children busy before the actual walk, we would do a little geocaching in the area.  We also took this time to give out some of our homeless bags tucked away in our backpacks.  There were so many homeless people on these streets!  I wish we had been able to carry more to give out!  They were all so appreciative!

We made our way back to the rally point and the youth that were leading the walk were in place.  We moved to the side of the street to watch them pass and then joined in behind.  It was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie (estimates of 55,000 in attendance) to be there.  We walked and prayed or sang, especially when we encountered the few protesters that were along the street.  The police did a wonderful job of keeping them away from those walking in the street.

One of the favorite moments of the day was a surprise to everyone.  We were walking past an area that was an active construction site.  From what I understand, it was near the area of the Super Bowl 50.  The construction crew heard the first wave of walkers go past, so came to see what the commotion was about.  This happened right about the time we were passing the area.  They stopped work to cheer us and even asked to take a sign to put on the crane to take to the top of he building.  Unfortunately, the police would not allow this contact. But they continued to cheer the crowd of Pro-lifers as we passed by.

Just after this event, the children were struggling to keep up the pace.  Then they began their hacking coughs.  Michael and decided we should pull to the side.  We did not want them to have a relapse of whatever illness we had the last two weeks!  It just so happened to be right by our parking garage (1 mile)!

We arrived back at St. Anne's Home in time to change into church clothes and attend our second Mass of the day.  We would enjoy Mass at Star of the Sea (our favorite church in the bay area).  A student group from Phoenix was also there.

After Mass, we were all invited to attend a dinner offered by the parish.  When we entered the parish hall, there were only three women trying to serve everyone.  So, I stepped in to serve spaghetti (home-made and so good!).  This was so much fun as I was able to meet so many who were at the Walk.  There were the Arizona students but also others from all over California.  Then we had the opportunity to meet the Sisters of Life who had traveled from New York to be at the Walk.

I really thought nothing of my choosing to serve the meal.  However, Fr. Illo noticed and came to find out who I was...I told him that he had met us before and then he remembered that we were the family from Texas.  He then began to help me serve....I love it when a priest will roll up his sleeves and be a part of the parish activity.  He definitely is that kind of a priest.

While I was serving, Michael was having an interesting conversation with some of the attendees.  I guess, the children became involved in discussion as well.  I think it had to do with choosing Pro-life candidates for political offices.  This so impressed them that they came to me later in the night to tell me that I had a good family.  A proud momma (and wife) moment!

One of the nuns came to me and asked if we planned to attend the Holy Hour after the dinner.  One of the nuns would be giving her vocation talk as well.  It was already after 7pm and we had been going non-stop for over 12 hours, but I knew we needed to be there.  I told the children that it was not right to enjoy a meal (they had eaten a lot of food!) and not go to Holy Hour for the real nourishment our bodies needed.  They went willingly and it was an amazing talk...so glad we were there to see the joy she felt serving God.

Sr. Faith started out asking us, "When was the first time that God broke into your life?"  When you stop to consider that moment, you are able to go back to that moment and focus on what God is calling you to do.  For her it was a day when she was jumping on her bed (4 years old).  Her father came in and found her and instead of being mad at her, he joined her and told her how much he loved her.  She stopped bouncing and went through a series of questions asking him who he loved.  Then she asked him if he loved her mother more than God.  She said he got very serious and explained that as much as he loved her mother, he loved God even more.  He also told her that it was because he loved God so much that he could love others in his life, like her and her mother.  Sr. Faith said that she always remembered that moment.

Then when she was older, she began to be a Christian on her terms.  She still wanted to be cool and not like those weird people who loved God that much.  She went on to college and then was about to enter graduate school.  She had everything she wanted and was going in the direction that she wanted.  However, she never felt like it was enough...her heart was restless for something more.  She was walking down the street one day and she heard God speak to her heart.  He told her that he had plans for her to become a nun.  Her response: "God, I don't know if you knew this, but people aren't doing that anymore!"  <GRIN>  But God would not give up on her and told her that he had bigger plans and he wanted to fulfill ALL her dreams.  As she put it, she got snarky with God and pointed out a restaurant across the street and said that she was really dreaming about a big milkshake!  Of course, God set her on the right path.  As soon as she fully allowed God to lead her, she was filled with an inner peace that she could not imagine.

She explained that just like any love story, we all have a path that leads us to one we love.  God was there for her and of all the amazing images in her head of beautiful scenery, nothing was like that beautiful image that God sees in us.  She told us that we reflect a unique image of God more glorious than anything we can imagine when we follow the path God wants for us...fulfilling all our dreams!

She reminded us that God loved the angels and man, but when the fallen angels left heaven God did not offer to redeem them.  Yet, he humbled himself obediently, even to death on a cross for man (Philippians 2:5-11).

She ended her talk by telling us that when we do follow our path, "nothing again will be casual or small."  We will be, in that moment, reflecting the image of God.

We then had adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.  What a powerful way to end our day!

We returned to a quiet convent and waited for the Sisters of Life to return.  We asked if they would be willing to take a picture with us.  They were excited to oblige.  Sr. Genoa told me that if we were ever in New York that they would love to have our family stay at their retreat center.  It is a tempting offer!

Then Mother Superior came to us and told us that we were welcome to return to the convent any time.  She offered the children coloring books about their foundress.  The children all gave her hugs and we had another picture taken with her.  Then we settled into our little spot of the room to go to sleep.  This was just as the other groups were making there way back from their various activities.  I thought it would bother the children, but they were so exhausted they slept through it!

That gave me a chance to meet some of the others.  We had groups (or individuals) from Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana and Los Angeles.  They were all wonderful people who were glad see a family participating.

We all left early the next day promising to pray for each other.  I wish that we could do this every year...so much fun and uplifting for the spirit!

AFTERTHOUGHTS

So much I could say now that I reflect back on the experience.  I think of all that I experienced, I know that the Pro-life community is strong.  We know that life is important and should not be taken for granted or wasted...in abortion or in the unintended end to life at any stage.  There are those who do not agree with us.  These people are not evil but there actions can be and the hate that comes with those who are radically against life is evident.

There were about 100 protesters along the path we walked on Saturday.  One woman (She made the national news as the lone protester at the start of the Walk.) stood with a coat hanger with the words "Never again." written in red lettering.  She would not even look at the people and her face was so hardened.  I have no idea what she was thinking as she stood there, but my only desire was to go up and give her a hug.  She just looked so angry!

Then there were those who held signs, "Abortion on demand with no apology"...What does that mean?  I felt like they were not even sure what this meant.

Then I later heard the following report from one of the Walk organizers:

As always, protesters tried to disrupt the Walk. Three young women managed to sneak around to the northern side of the speaker’s area and throw literature onto the stage while Daleiden was speaking. They then remove their tops and shouted obscenities. Although almost no one at the rally was aware of the attempted disruption, it did lead to one of the day’s most memorable and charming moments: the Sisters of Life giving their cloaks to the half-naked girls so they would not catch cold. The girls were arrested.

There were also between 100-150 protesters from Stop Patriarchy, a group affiliated with the Revolutionary Communist Party, waiting for the Walk at the corner of Powell and Market Street. But as always they were outnumbered by about 400 to one. (updated from Walk for Life website)

When we first arrived at the rally, we were given signs "I am the Pro-life Generation."  I had seen these signs before and always thought they were meant for the young Pro-lifers.  However, as I held my sign and walk along with the others, I looked around...we are all part of the 'Pro-life Generation' united in a call for truth.

Then it made me realize that FOUR living generations (five if you count my grandmother's generation of whom some are still living) has seen the effect of abortion on our society.  When will we see the painful truth and end this tragic death society that currently exists?  Where the selling of aborted babies is normal...where helping someone commit suicide is considered compassionate...where being old is a burden...where a president tells us that we should get used to terrorist attacks...the list could go on and on!

However, I have hope that we will see the end to this pain and suffering.  I believe that we will see the end to abortion...assisted suicide...death panels.  I know God has bigger plans, and as Sr. Faith said about the individual being a unique image of God, our society in God's reflection will be more glorious than anything we can imagine!

For instance, the image of the nuns covering the naked protesters is actually a beautiful image of what we mean by being Pro-life.  The hate that those women represented was covered in love by the nuns.  One of the nuns was asked if she was offended or upset by the experience, and her answer:  "We did not just come to the rally for the good."  Praise be to God...For He is ALL GOOD!  As for me and my house...we Walk with Him!