On October 15, 2011, a memorial service was held for Baby Jane Doe, a newborn found thrown in a reservoir in Delaware County several years ago. Not until recently was a proper marker placed upon her burial site. Father Joseph Klee, officiated over the ceremony.
While the cold wind snapped at our hair, and the whizzing by of nearby vehicles inadvertently tried to drown us out, it could not silence the loud statement of this small, yet personal ceremony for this
tiny baby girl. The service was beautiful.
We sometimes forget as pro-lifers, that everytime we donate to a crisis pregnancy center, everytime we participate in outreach, everytime we support an organization like Greater Columbus Right to Life, everytime we attend a pro-life banquet or rally, we are doing this in an effort to save lives.
Stop for a moment and think about that. Saving lives. We are being used by the Holy Spirit to aid in sparing the life of a tiny, defenseless child from the violent act of abortion. Attending Baby Jane's funeral service reminded me of this. That we must do this work because it is what we are instructed to do in this sin-stained world.
This baby's life was literally thrown away, and it made the news because she ended up washed up on the shore. And it is heartbreaking. But what about the 28,000 other young lives that are literally
thrown away in Ohio every year? Who is mourning for them?
My children experienced something so important by attending the service with my husband and I. We are so proud of them both. My 7 year old, Anna, asked on the way home if she could write the baby a letter and bring a tiny teddy bear to her grave site. My heart filled with joy, along with sadness at that moment. Joy for the gift of my daughter and sadness for the loss of Baby Jane.
I was humbled as a parent. I was reminded how important it is to raise my children well, to teach them the Truth, to set an example of how to follow Christ, and that really, my children are not really mine, at all, but His. May God continue to give us strength and courage to continue this battle for
life!
Sara Cleveland is Greater Columbus Right to Life's "2011 Defender of Life Award" recipient. An activf volunteer with several local pro-life organizations, Sara regularly sidewalk counsels women and families as they are preparing to enter one of Franklin County's four abortion centers. She is also active with other Pro-Life education and advocacy activities in central Ohio..
While the cold wind snapped at our hair, and the whizzing by of nearby vehicles inadvertently tried to drown us out, it could not silence the loud statement of this small, yet personal ceremony for this
tiny baby girl. The service was beautiful.
We sometimes forget as pro-lifers, that everytime we donate to a crisis pregnancy center, everytime we participate in outreach, everytime we support an organization like Greater Columbus Right to Life, everytime we attend a pro-life banquet or rally, we are doing this in an effort to save lives.
Stop for a moment and think about that. Saving lives. We are being used by the Holy Spirit to aid in sparing the life of a tiny, defenseless child from the violent act of abortion. Attending Baby Jane's funeral service reminded me of this. That we must do this work because it is what we are instructed to do in this sin-stained world.
This baby's life was literally thrown away, and it made the news because she ended up washed up on the shore. And it is heartbreaking. But what about the 28,000 other young lives that are literally
thrown away in Ohio every year? Who is mourning for them?
My children experienced something so important by attending the service with my husband and I. We are so proud of them both. My 7 year old, Anna, asked on the way home if she could write the baby a letter and bring a tiny teddy bear to her grave site. My heart filled with joy, along with sadness at that moment. Joy for the gift of my daughter and sadness for the loss of Baby Jane.
I was humbled as a parent. I was reminded how important it is to raise my children well, to teach them the Truth, to set an example of how to follow Christ, and that really, my children are not really mine, at all, but His. May God continue to give us strength and courage to continue this battle for
life!
Sara Cleveland is Greater Columbus Right to Life's "2011 Defender of Life Award" recipient. An activf volunteer with several local pro-life organizations, Sara regularly sidewalk counsels women and families as they are preparing to enter one of Franklin County's four abortion centers. She is also active with other Pro-Life education and advocacy activities in central Ohio..
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