Tuesday 13 April 2010

Courage what is it?

When taking Owen for his constitutional this morning I passed by our local cemetary. On one of the little gravestones there is the words "born asleep" I think that is a lovely term although very sad of course.

This got me thinking back to when I lived at Southminster on the Essex marshes many moons ago. I had a neighbour who was a devout Roman Catholic. She had two young boys but always wished for a little girl to complete her family. She actually got pregnant again twice and on both occasions it was a little girl who wanted to enter our lovely world. Unfortunately this lady had some health issues (not sure what) and was told both times that the child would only live for a few hours after birth. This information was given to her at an early stage of the pregnancy. Because of this she was advised each time to have the pregnancy terminated but because of her religious beliefs she declined. So both times a little girl was born who didn't stay with us very long. I'm not a Roman Catholic but I can't help admiring this neighbours tremendous faith. What courage to go through all the pains of pregnancy knowing that your child had no chance of surviving. We normally think of heroics as something immediate like rushing into a burning building to rescue someone but a long term ordeal like this takes some beating.
Thought for today. Let us appreciate all the things we don't have that we wouldn't want
Joke for today:- A woman marries a man expecting that he will change but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change but she does.
On this day:- In 1860 the first delivery by pony express arrived in California after the 1800 mile journey.
In 1732 Frederick North the English Prime Minister who introduced the Tea Act which led to the Boston Tea Party was born.
In 1743 Thomas Jefferson the American President responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence was born. Ironic in view of above? Both characters having the same birthday

No comments: