I’m a day late this week. We traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the 47th annual March for Life. It was an experience I’ll soon not forget. A long day, starting at 6:15 am., it was a beautiful morning, with cloudy skies and bit of sun peeking through. It was chilly, but we were prepared with layers of clothing and were warm and cozy. We’ve  always supported the cause for life financially and participated on local walks. But this was special. Exciting.While we waited for the gates to open–we chatted with the people nearby.We took photos of each other, talked about the cause, and who we were voting for. I won’t go into the politics of the day, because it is constantly discussed on the radio, social media, and TV.  At the gate, there were two siblings, standing side by side. They were from Philadelphia and were millennials. They proudly told us their parents emigrated from Greece. A woman from Alabama stood beside us. She was a Gen X-er. Her husband was a camera man on duty to film the event. Three different age groups very comfortable discussing the cause for life and politics: GenXers, Millennials, and Baby Boomers.

Once the gates opened up, we ran (well, sort of) so we could be close to the front. And that’s where we stood for hours.  The crowd grew, although it was difficult to see how many were behind us. We chatted with people from Colorado, Connecticut, Ohio, New York, Queens, NY, Virginia, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, and more. All ages were represented: Babes in arms, toddlers in strollers, elementary students, and many high school and college aged. We were cheering and excited to see the president and other dignitaries who would speak. I was drawn to a woman from Minneapolis, who with two others provided free ultrasounds in an RV mobile clinic. She quietly told me she had a heart for young mothers who were pregnant and didn’t know what to do. You see, thirty years ago, she had an abortion and she wished someone had come alongside her like they do in the mobile clinic. She knows she is forgiven for that act, and wants to be a conduit of love and compassion now.

Pictured below were an Orthodox Priest who opened with prayer, and a Catholic Archbishop who greeted the crowd. United we bowed together and prayed. We said the pledge of allegiance, and sang the national anthem.

March for Life Stage

The main speaker was the President of the United States. It was thrilling to see him so close to us. There were other speakers as well mostly representing the state of Louisiana. A Democratic LA State Senator, the first lady from Louisiana, and US Representative Steve Scalise. We viewed live-stream, Vice President Pence and his wife Karen, who were in Rome as well as other Senators who proclaimed their pro-life stance. It was an event I won’t forget and I was proud to be with this very united crowd of so many ages, including many church denominations. Even the party lines were blurred, because of our cause. After standing for six hours–no sitting–no bathroom–we began the march. There were so many people we barely moved as we walked down Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument towards the Supreme Court, a two mile walk. There was a sea of people. It’s reported there were 100,000 or more. They were expecting 200,000. Click on this link to see the crowd: http://bit.ly/2Rs5dmn

I close with part of Psalms 139.

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

I’m grateful for these words that proclaim when our life began and how long it will be. It’s a comfort to know the God of the Universe knows me and knows my days.