The Rose Walk

Yesterday we participated as a family in a memorial service held downtown to remember the lives of those children lost to abortion. A friend of ours was one of the coordinators and approached us about having our children participate. We had never been to an event like this, but were glad to join in.

It was a interdenominational service. There were a few songs and three very powerful testimonies. The first woman spoke about her years of silent grief as she and her husband lost seven babies to miscarriage. Much later in life they adopted their son from a sixteen year old girl who chose to give her baby life. This young mother was from a Christian home and could have taken the "easy way" out through abortion, but instead (in the words of the speaker) "gave me back my life as well." Since that time, the family has been active in speaking out and encouraging other pregnant women to do the same.

The second speaker was a middle aged man who held a sign that read, "I regret lost fatherhood." As a teen, he agreed to help pay for his girlfriend's abortion. She was insistent and he did not stand in the gap to protect his child. He was uninformed and caught in a tough situation. He has lived with this pain ever since and found forgiveness in Christ. His message is to the men of America to rise up against the lie of abortion that is taking away the lives of innocent children.

The last presenter was a young lady who spoke of her mother's own teenage pregnancy. Her mother received her pregnancy test at a pro life clinic and received a pin of tiny feet the same size as the 10 week old baby in her womb. Her mother was surrounded by many friends and teachers that encouraged her to get an abortion but this pin presented to her the reality of such a decision. Without support, she chose to keep and raise her daughter. Since then, her mother became a Christian and now has eight children and is expecting another. The young lady spoke with tears of gratitude recalling all the things that she has done and will do all because her mother made the choice to give her life. The girl's mother was actually present and stood with her.

The ceremony ended with a reading of the years 1973 and on along with an announcement of the number of children aborted. A person born in that year came forward and placed a rose on the stage. Our children carried roses and represented several of those years. I am saddened by the sheer numbers of lives lost- millions and millions. I am grieved thinking of all of those mothers and fathers who have an empty place in their hearts. I am angered that laws allow the taking of an innocent life are upheld in this country.

From the memorial hall we took posters and banners to the streets and walked silently downtown. I personally have never participated in a march or protest. It really didn't feel like an act of defiance. Rather it seemed to me an acknowledgment that babies die everyday through abortion. Their lives matter and they are not forgotten.

As we were walking, I kept trying to keep track of the kids.
"Whose missing?" I asked Sean.
"They are all here. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7," he said.
"Oh. It always seems like there is someone missing."
"Aren't you glad there is not? "he smiled back.