Life is a Gift

Today I am participating in Five Minute Friday. We write for five minutes with a prompt. Kate’s prompt is UNUSUAL. It is unusually cold today. The thermometer outside of my window registers -10 degrees fahrenheit and that is -23 celsius.

It reminds me of the year that I went on a bus with a large group of women to downtown Chicago to join the March for Life. It was almost as cold as today. My husband declined to come but put goggles in my hand. “Take these. You might need them.” I laughed, but later I was grateful. I used them.

Why does the March take place in January? The date is chosen because it is the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Have you ever watched the March for Life? Have you noticed the orderly protest of abortion while pointing to the value of every life?

Every time that I have participated we have started out at a Catholic Church. We listened to testimonies, and we prayed. And then we marched. It has always been a calm and respectful event.

Stop.

I have been blessed by my experiences as a nurse. A newborn infant is a gift of life. When I worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Michigan we fought for the life of infants.

I am thankful for each of my children and grandchildren. My life is richer because of them. Being a mom requires hard work and sometimes self-sacrifice. But the rewards are great.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

Abortion is a tragedy. It is the death of a developing baby and a health risk to the mother.

In 2003 I read about the death of Holly Patterson after she took the abortion pill (RU-486) given to her by Planned Parenthood. Holly was 18 years old and died from side effects of the abortion.

The pill is now the most popular form of abortion. It has been given to women without a physical assessment of the pregnancy by a doctor. It carries risk to the mother. Doctors are now raising an alarm. A letter, signed by five medical associations representing physicians, was sent to the directors of the FDA (Dr. Makary) and HHS (Robert Kennedy Jr.). The letter raised concerns about the health of women who took the abortion pill. Data from insurance claims showed that 10.9% of the women experienced severe complications.

The Bible has words of wisdom.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence. Act 2:28

What if all the money that is spent on abortion was instead directed at assisting new mothers, during pregnancy and for several months after the birth of their baby?

Good news! The National Institutes of Health announced it will immediately stop federal funding for research using human fetal tissue from elective abortions, covering all grants, contracts, and programs. I am thankful for a reduction in incentives for performing abortions.

Today the March for Life takes place in Washington D.C. The theme is: Life is a Gift

Update: I watched the coverage for the March for Life 2026 and saw the reports of attendance: 100,000 people, mostly teenagers, young adults and families. They listened to speakers and then marched with order. I thought about the comparison with what is happening in Minnesota–lawlessness and eventually death. The death of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is a tragedy–they were caught up in an event directed by a network that is working against law enforcement.

While watching the speeches at the March in Washington D.C. I learned about two bills that have passed in the House of Representatives. They are: H.R. 6945 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act and H.R. 6359 Pregnant Student’s Rights Act. These bills will need to pass the Senate.

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