More pro-life chronicles

The series on Netflix Call the Midwife is wonderful. They actually have nuns on the show; a preacher is one of the regular cast; and dare I say it, people actually pray to God on the show. Very unusual for Hollywood. Except of course it isn't done in Hollywood, it's done by the BBC. I certainly could never imagine our CBC creating a series like this.

Of course there are a lot of lovely babies born, family stories and no swearing. So refreshing.

And today Maureen and I had another lovely time on our weekly visit to the nursing home. We took two patients outside, wore our silly hats again, and sang more songs. It's so good to finally be able to take residents outside again to the garden, where the air is fresh, there is a lovely breeze and sunshine.

I visited one gentleman who I hadn't seen in a while and who is bed-ridden. Unlike many of the other patients we visit on that floor, he is completely lucid. We had a grand visit.  He's hoping to be moved to a floor higher up so that he can be with patients who are more like himself. I'm hopeful he will be able to move soon.

We also bought a Mass card for our dear friend who died last week.

I've also been looking at my crisis pregnancy centres report I wrote last year. I like to remind myself frequently about the good these places do for women. It's always good to be reminded of the positive pro-life things happening. And CPCs are most definitely top of the pro-life list.

And last but not least an MP contacted me for information on abortion and the fact that there is no charter right to abortion. I was able to provide the MP with this fantastic site which analyzes the Morgentaler decision.

All good stuff.

Two sides of the pro-life coin

This week I listened to someone who shared a first hand account of what crisis pregnancy centres deal with every day. It broke my heart.

Without going into detail because of privacy--and I already knew this--CPCs and the people who work there are truly nothing like what the radical-hate-crisis-pregnancy-centre crowd will tell you. They are the most amazing loving caring compassionate people I have ever met. Each and every one of them. And I thank God they exist. Because I could not do that work.

But what I can tell you is this. The women who come to visit CPCs, and the people who work there need our prayers and our support, and especially lots of prayers.

What I am able to do, by the grace of God, is to go on my weekly visit to the nursing home where my sister Maureen and I volunteer every week. Even though some days I don't want to go. Like this week. I almost turned around and went home again. But I didn't and I'm glad I stayed.

One of the women who I've visited for the past three years passed away this week. She was a dear woman; nearly totally deaf; always in pain from sitting too long in her chair; who always loved when I or my sister would visit her. I would usually say a prayer with her and she was always thankful for this too.

After hearing this sad news, things looked up when Maureen and I took three residents outside to sit in the sun, to sing a few songs, and wear silly hats, and, this is the best part, laugh.

Maureen actually got one of the three who at first wasn't in a laughing mood, to laugh. And she LOVED her hat. That made my day.

There is such a need for volunteers to visit nursing homes. There are so many people there who don't get visitors. Who are alone. Who appreciate wearing a silly hat. Or saying a prayer. Or just someone to listen to them. Or to hold their hand.

It's really a blessing that I can go.