I Just Have to Say

You should have seen her! She jumped a foot off the ground!

So said my daughter, recounting to her brother my reaction to today's news.

She was bouncing all over the place!

And so I was, with tears in my eyes as well. I cannot overstate my joy at McCain's pick of a truly pro-life running mate. Jonathan just thinks I'm brilliant because just yesterday I was telling him how McCain should pick a strongly pro-life woman. How did you know, Mom?

I didn't know. All I knew was the mentioning of various potential candidates by the media was making me ill.

It is so rare to have a truly pro-life candidate; one who you can believe really cares about the issue. Sure there are plenty of politicians who say they are pro-life but it seems like they are just repeating the words to toe the party line. And sadly there are even clergy who seem the same way - giving a nod to the pro-life cause but so half heartedly they seem to be just toeing the denominational line. And here we have a woman who believes babies are blessings, unlike Obama who has referred to them as a punishment. That's quite a contrast.

This pro-life candidate is a woman. And she is a mother. She knows that all that mumbo jumbo talk about choice and a woman's right to her own body has nothing to do with anything. She knows that the issue is all about someone else's body. A little tiny body straight from the hand of God and tucked away safe inside to grow and to be born into this world to be cared for and loved. Sarah Palin knows this and understands this because she is the mother of five children. She herself has experienced the swelling, full womb and the joy of the leaping baby within. She has known the exuberance of giving birth and bringing new life into the world, again and again. She has experienced this great gift from God and she sees children as the blessings that they are declaring:

 Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in

But even more than that she is the mother of a special needs child, a child with Down syndrome. I can't describe the thrill I feel at the thought of this woman being nominated for the second highest office in our land. Having a special needs child was easy for me to accept. My Eliza was made by God and He made her exactly the way He wanted her to be. What is very difficult to accept is how the vast majority of the rest of the world sees her - completely unworthy of life. But Sarah Palin is not like the rest of the world. She recognizes the gift from the hand of the Creator. She has described her special blessing like this:

we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives.

She gets it. She gets life.

She believes it and she knows it and she lives it.

She knows it's not a choice - it's a child. A gift.

 

And she is in an awesome position to help the rest of the world see it too.

And that gets me very, very happy.

Comments

[Ellen]

I think many of us can agree that we now have a woman candidated who "gets it" and isn't just on a power trip.

When I read your son's comment, all I could think of is "a mother's intuition."

[Theresa in Alberta]

The more I read about this lady the more I like her and have been thanking God for McCains choice!!! American politics effects us Canadians like a steam roller and Obama just plain scared me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also a catholic mom, to 2 adult kids. and (oh gasp) still married to their father. My daughter used to joke when she was in high school that she was one of the few kids with her origional set of parents.

[J.C.]

I watched yesterday with much anticipation. (In another life, like Elizabeth Foss, I was also a Hill intern, a politics major, and a political activist...) I immediately thought of you, Kimberlee, and your lovely Eliza!! I bet Sarah Palin would regard you every bit the quiet hero and the inspiration you regard her. I just know she would. Deo gratias!

[Nana]

GREAT POST, KIMBERLEE! To me, Mrs. Palin's best qualification has nothing to do with her governorship but to her experience as a mom and her true moral compass. It's about time we recognize that those years a woman spends devoted to raising a famiy count toward her ability to lead a country. I hope that her success translates to inspiration and motivation for our daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters. Keep on dancing! Love, Nana xox

[Nikki]

What a lovely post, you had me in tears. That is an absolutely gorgeous picture of Eliza - a definite poster child for the pro-life movement!

[jackie parkes]

Lovely blog!

[Nori Coleman]

I am in awe of this women and the way she speaks up for life. She embodies everything We have been praying for as Catholics. I'm with you and I am so glad we have an advocate who really cares. I loved your post.

[Mrs Pea]

Kimberlee, I seldom comment but read often and am always talking about your amazing family to my dh! We want to be like you when we grow up. I can't imagine how hard it must be to feel/know that so many would consider your precious lovely girl not to be worthy of life. Praise God that He brought her to your family where she is so valued and loved, and where she helps everyone who meets you or reads your blog to know the true dignity and worth of all people, including those (like me also!) who have something different about them. I guess people like me would be aborted too if tests were available. Praying for the election, here in the Uk.

[mp]

Your Eliza (what a great name) is just gorgeous. She seems like a very happy girl who loves life. But in your post you said that Palin is "truly pro-life". Actually, she is "anti-abortion" not pro-life. She supports the death penalty. It is unfortunate that people don't see the distinction especially Catholics. When a person says he/she is pro-life, then ALL life should be respected.