New Life in a Broken World

In the weeks preparing to visit our new grandson I spent evenings knitting—first a blanket and then a lovey. Knitting is a calming activity. It requires me to stay focused on counting stitches while following a pattern.  In the heavy season of worldwide troubles, my mind rests while I knit.  During the past couple weeks… Continue reading New Life in a Broken World

The Changing Ways of Birth

engraving courtesy of wellcome images via creative commons

I was born in Michigan, and so was my mother. My grandmother was born in Finland. My grandmother gave birth to her children at home. My mother gave birth in the hospital during the obstetric practice of twilight sleep and delivery with forceps. I gave birth by cesarean section. As a nurse I worked in… Continue reading The Changing Ways of Birth

Reproductive Health Act: A Life and Death Law in Illinois

When the Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, no one could imagine that 45 years later the number of lives terminated in the United States would be 61 million. Some believed that marriages would be better, women would be happier. Has that happened? Last Friday the Illinois legislature passed the Reproductive… Continue reading Reproductive Health Act: A Life and Death Law in Illinois