A New Trend?

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This morning I was going through some pictures that I uploaded from my camera a few days ago and came across this dashing picture of my husband that one of the kids took last week when Doug and I attended a black tie event. If no one else appreciates seeing it, I know my mother-in-law will.



But, besides reminding me that I am married to a handsome man, this picture reminded me of that particular event, and a story I had for you.

The occasion was an awards event sponsored by the Ohio State University Alumni Association. A dear friend of ours was receiving an award and he invited Doug and I to be guests at his table. The venue was lovely, and there were many important people there, including Senator John Glenn and his wife Anne, Ohio State President Gordon Gee, and Alumni Association President (and also two-time Heisman winner) Archie Griffin. It was all glitz and glam, and while enjoyable, frankly, I'm not too much of a star gazer. It was just nice that we were there for our friend.

However, one of the award recipients really caught my eye, not with how she dressed, or who she was, but what she said. She was a young alum, and was receiving an award for the work she has done in the field of nursing. She gave a nice speech about her work, and she graciously thanked her parents, and friends, and husband for their support of her career.

And then, she choked up a little because she began to speak about her daughters. Both little girls, she said she was so proud to be a mother. But, she was very proud to most recently be the mother of a child with Down Syndrome. It was a very emotional moment, not only because she was obviously very proud to be a mother, but maybe because she had discovered a newfound freedom in expressing her pride as the mother of a baby with Down's.

Later, as Doug and I drove home from the event, we were talking about her declaration, and wondered whether she would have made the same speech months ago before Sarah Palin's appointment as vice presidential candidate. No disrespect intended to this wonderful young woman, but I somehow doubt that her daughter's genetic condition would have been the highlight of her speech.

Whether or not Sarah Palin will become the vice president of the United States is yet to be seen. I do, however, firmly believe that God has a special role for her in this country. Maybe she has already filled that office. And if even one mother chooses life for a tiny little baby with an extra copy of chromosome 21, then she has succeeded. And God bless her.
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