Abortion is not a woman’s issue–it’s a people issue, something Mark Pickup highlights here in his blog:

According to Roxanne, having a uterus is only criteria qualifying somebody to comment on the unsanitary and unsafe conditions of abortion clinics. Her rage blinds her reason. Needlessly putting women’s lives at risk is every one’s business; child abuse is every one’s business (and abortion is the worst kind of child abuse). Speaking out against practises that endanger or kill people is part of every citizen’s concern who values interdependent community and the greater human family.

I gather he got a comment to the effect that since Mark doesn’t have a uterus, he shouldn’t speak about abortion. I’m inclined to sideline those types of comments, since I think they come from a minority fringe. Still, they can sting. Reading your average virulent pro-choice blog can sting, as I learned just this morning where one blogger who often comments here concluded her post with “Happy f’ing New Year.” It was a reminder of the bitterness in which she lives. (I won’t link to her blog or even name her, since I do not relish the thought of inviting such comments here.)

In any event, men should certainly speak out about abortion, and it’s a foolish woman who says otherwise. That said, we should all tread carefully, not with the extremists  who believe men should fall silent because they can’t get pregnant, but rather with the normal women whose abortion experiences may cause ongoing grief.

And while I believe men should always speak up, I do likewise think it is women who are better positioned to speak to our sisters on this topic. I believe this in the same manner that there are issues that men have to address with men.

…are contagious.

The sun-drenched common room at the south end of Columbia Garden Village retirement home in Invermere, B.C., is quiet most days. The shuffle of slippers on linoleum, the clink of a coffee mug in the sink, or the click of knitting needles are often the only sounds.

But every Tuesday and Friday, 18 kindergartners from Eileen Madson Primary School arrive in a yellow school bus and take over, turning the home’s common room into a classroom, and the home’s residents into active participants. The kindergartners go about their lessons, crafts and play time surrounded by the seniors who live there. Some elders watch from the sidelines, others roll up their sleeves and build block towers or indulge in a reading of a Scooby-Doo storybook.

If you’re in the Halifax area, the next PAIR meet-up is January 21st.

This post is long overdue… but since one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to not put off until tomorrow what you can do today, here we are. By the way, this resolution has already borne much fruit, let me tell you. This morning I got rid of a jar of Hoisin sauce that was made during the years of the ancient Tang dynasty. Mystical, and yet, too old for cooking. And some apple butter from 2009, which was oddly, still looking just fine. (What on earth is in that stuff?!) Starting afresh in 2012!

Anyways, I have long wanted to draw your attention to the lovely Véronique’s new blog. Vie de Cirque: My life in a ten-ring circus is sometimes in English, sometimes in French, always worth reading for that Je Ne Sais Quoi that makes Véronique who she is. I intend to link to her blog often enough–for a dose of realism mixed with humour and wisdom when it comes to family life.

You knew her here first. Yes. May she always remember the little people along the road.

To conclude, another of my resolutions is to spend less time staring vapidly at my computer screen, writing and re-writing blog posts that are here one day and gone tomorrow. And let’s get serious–NO checking the random Facebook profile of a friend of a friend who just got married and wow, that’s a pretty dress, but actually you don’t know her and never will, therefore she is not here, not anywhere, not by anyone’s definition a “friend.” I’m digressing now, a terrible habit, the eradication of which will be a resolution for 2013, in the interests of not adding too much to my plate for one year. Happy New Year!

_______________________

Véronique adds: Well, what an awesome coincidence since one of my New Year’s resolutions (the kind that I will keep of course) is to contribute a post a month to ProWomanProLife! I wish I could think of Andrea as one of “the little people down the road” but I’d be happy to have 25% of PWPL’s traffic on my blog! To tell you the awful truth about myself, I found it very difficult to write about abortion while pregnant. And I have been pregnant twice in the last 2-and-a-bit years. So wait for it! (And feel free to make me feel really bad if I don’t follow through, ok?)

________________________

Andrea adds: I will not hesitate to make you feel very bad. Publicly. You’ll rue the day you ever made this resolution. Welcome back!

This article is from last year’s Globe and Mail (Friday, but still, last year). It’s sad that someone with a mere four kids would have to endure such rude commentary.

People asked, “Did you do fertility treatments?” When I said no, one person responded with, “So, this was on purpose?” Another man educated me on my carbon footprint: “Your overactive uterus is causing overpopulation.”

I feel annoyed on behalf of my friends who have families of four, or double that (or more than double that). I know they endure A LOT–of derision, snide remarks, and hostility. This article gives you a mere taste.

Amazing to think this is where we’ve landed: women were once outcasts for being “barren” and now they are outcasts for having kids. Will there never be a happy medium? Sigh.

Today’s story from Maryland,

ELKTON, Md. (AP) — Authorities say two doctors accused of performing late-term abortions in Maryland have been arrested and charged with murder.

At least one case involved a woman who was critically injured during the procedure.

MaterCare International is an organization of health professionals who dedicate their time and energy to caring for mothers and children in developing countries. With the purchase of their super stylish new maternity motorcycles in November, this year they’ll be able to reach women in areas that were difficult to access before.

 These vehicles are much cheaper to operate and maintain than the 4X4 ambulance but are only for short haul pickups from villages relatively close to the main hospital. They are specially designed motorcycles for transport of pregnant women. One will be brought to Merti and the other will stay around Isiolo. We hope to purchase more in the future when funds become available.

All of these make sense. I think I struggle particularly with numbers 3 and 7 (overthinking/comparison and forgiveness). But thankfully, as per #10, I can dedicate myself to improving!

True confessions: I like country music. So yesterday as I drove the four hour plus drive back to Ottawa, I had my usual “Country Music Hour” and heard this song. Which I link to here, because we are approaching New Year’s. And I think it’s a consolation to know that anyone with their own set of red solo cups can have a truly great party. (My favourite line is the one about Freddie Mac. Comes early on in the song, so humour me long enough to hear it!)

Proceed to party, friends, proceed to party.

What great news to get after the holidays. MPs are starting to vocalize that they’d like a debate on rights for the unborn.

Essex Conservative MP Jeff Watson supports a colleague’s call for parliamentary discussion about whether to give human rights to the unborn.

Kitchener-Centre’s Tory MP Stephen Woodworth said in a media release issued earlier this week that Canadian laws governing human rights and the unborn are outdated and need to be re-examined.

Since I was so enamoured with the recent Muppet movie, it reminded me this Christmas to pull out my Muppets Christmas CD.

Merry Christmas, all.

For the truth that binds us all together, I would like to say a simple prayer

That at this special time, you will have true peace of mind

And love to last throughout the coming year.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=givAZ05_wJg]