Aliisa's Letter

Tender Moments
Posted by Carol on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:09pm

Five Minute Friday: The word is Tender Just write for five minutes without editing . . . One of the blessings of being a grandmother is that I can enjoy tender moments with the grandchildren without the fatigue of motherhood. A couple days ago my daughter left me with her three girls. The baby was still being breastfed-- in fact she had never taken a bottle. My daughter had pumped her breast and the two older girls showed me the bottle of milk in the refrigerator with delight and excitement. "Deba's milk" the two year old exclaimed. We were going to feed the baby together, and they were thrilled. The time came and we all settled on the sofa. I had the baby in my arms and the two girls leaned in. I put the nipple in the sweet baby girl's mouth and she looked puzzled. Her eyes searched my face and she chewed on the nipple. "She's not drinking it", the big sister said and I explained that this was a new experience. The baby needs to learn. I pursed my lips and made a few sucking sounds. The baby watched and then mimicked me. With delight she began to drain the bottle. The little girls smiled. I want to imprint this moment on my heart. Visit Lisa-Jo at theGypsyMama for more Five Minute Friday posts. Words and Writing
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Explaining My Position
Posted by Carol on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8:47am

In the past couple of days I received a message from a friend that motivates this post. She asked, Why are you so opposed to the birth control pill? Here is my answer. I have read the book Breast Cancer: Its Link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill. Dr. Chris Kahlenborn writes: In 1981, Pike et al noted that women who took oral contraceptives for 4 or more years prior to their first full-term pregnancy experienced a 125% increased risk in breast cancer, whereas women who took them for 8 or more years prior to their first full term pregnancy had a 250% increased risk. A few years ago I listened to a speaker from Breast Cancer Prevention Institute. The Institute has materials that describe the physiology of the breast and the effects of the birth control pill on the breast tissue. Click here for BCPI's fact sheet about breast cancer. I attended a research presentation on the Women's Health Initiative-- a comprehensive study of women receiving hormone treatments. The study looked at the development of heart disease and cancer in postmenopausal women. The study findings led to recommendations that women stop taking hormone replacement pills. The presenter commented that women who have taken the birth control pill for a number of years are more likely to have the symptoms that lead to hormone replacement therapy. For more on the WHI click here. One of the side effects of the birth control pill is blood clots. As a nurse I have noticed the increasing number of women, now pregnant, that require treatment for blood clots. One woman said to me I began developing blood clots while I was on the pill. Having said all that , I realize that there are times that a couple needs to avoid pregnancy. After my twins were born I had severe complications. I was told that I should not become pregnant again. My husband and I refused the pill and sterilization, but used other methods. Ten years later after much prayer we were blessed with another child. A couple needs to make decisions while seeking the Lord for wisdom. Methods without health risks include: the condom, the diaphragm, abstaining from sex during a fertile period. It is beneficial to a marriage for the husband and wife to share the responsibility for fertility and make decisions together. Birth Control Pill/Plan B
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Marching for Life
Posted by Carol on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 7:11pm

On Sunday evening we had a casserole dinner with our small group from church. Twice a month we come together as families to share a meal and discuss the Bible. At the close of the evening we shared concerns and prayed. In our prayers we gave thanks for the religious freedom that we have. At the same time groups of people were gathering in Washington D.C. They were preparing to join the March for Life. Groups of young and old came together in support of the unborn. According to a blogger who was there, taking photographs, the participants included Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox and Hasidic Jews. To access this most interesting blog with photos of the March for Life click here. According to the Washington Post more than 400 young adults from Chicago were marching. The on-line jounal estimated that 17,000 youth were among the tens of thousands marching in the freezing rain on Monday. During a speech by Eric Cantor (Majority House Leader) the right of conscience was mentioned. Health care providers are in danger of losing the right of conscience under the new health care law. I have written about the right of conscience in a previous post. Click here. I didn't participate in the March for Life but I applaud each person that marched in a respectful manner through the cold streets of Washington D.C. to the steps of the Supreme Court. This post is linked to the one word blog carnival hosted by Peter Pollock. The word is Marching. To join the carnival or just visit, click here. Sanctity of Life
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SOHL Sunday
Posted by Carol on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 8:39pm

Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Yesterday I read through the January 28th issue of WORLD magazine from cover to cover. And today I passed the magazine along to a friend. This issue of WORLD is devoted to the sanctity of life. I was encouraged to read about the pro-life legislation that has passed in some states (but not Illinois ). I enjoyed reading about young women that are outspoken and activists for the pro-life movement. My thoughts have turned to the health of both women and their infants. Maternity care in the United States has some alarming statistics. Nicole Montesano wrote an article for the News Register entitled Danger in Delivery; Despite technology, U.S. trails entire western world in saving mothers. To access the article click here. As the article explains our current situation is complex, but some of the problems can be traced back to an over-use of technology and fear of lawsuits. The increasing rate of maternal death is most often among the poor and black population-- although it crosses all demographics. One of the solutions (??) for women's health that has been offered for decades is contraception. Planned Parenthood has received funds from Medicaid to provide contraception and abortion. Hormone treatments (depo-provera and the birth control pill) and abortions have side effects and long term consequences. In addition a woman's underlying health problems may not be addressed. The focus and management of health care for women with limited financial resources lacks perspective. Women should receive education and treatment that promotes overall health instead of short term fixes. The new health care law is making contraceptive care a mandatory health benefit. Are women aware of the risks of casual sex and hormone therapy? I am at a loss to understand this plan when the level of women's health is in a decline. The new health care law requires hospitals and clinics to provide birth control pills, the morning after pill and sterilization. The government is claiming that this is health care; it is actually arguing reproductive rights or consumer demand. But women have personal reproductive rights without these medications distributed as insurance benefits. They can choose what they do with their bodies and how they manage their fertility. Should Catholic Hospitals and Catholic college clinics be required by law to provide contraceptives as a health benefit? I don't think so. The Catholic church has held a constant position with regard to the use of contraception. The government is trying to impose its own view of health on the church. Instead of making contraceptives a health care provision I would like to see more health care dollars spent on prenatal care and post partum care-- two areas of care that would benefit new moms and their infants. From 1996 to 2000 a research project was conducted in Chicago. Doulas were recruited to come alongside at risk pregnant teens. Click here for the study that demonstrated improved health outcomes for the teens and their babies. This is a good use of health care dollars. If you go to my side bar and click on favorite sites you can find links to the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute and One More Soul. Each of these sites provides research on the side effects of the birth control pill. Sanctity of Life
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Joy Alights
Posted by Carol on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7:58am
Joy Alights Like a Butterfly
The process of writing a book, having it published and marketing it, is demanding. In retrospect it requires more perseverance than I anticipated. I have prayed frequently about this project. I have learned that the return on investment can be elusive, and I have wondered about my efforts. During the past month I have had moments of joy. I was surprised by the number of Christmas greetings that referenced *Aliisa's Letter. Some simply said they enjoyed the book, others had passed the book to a friend and a few were more specific. I appreciated the Finnish culture in Northern Michigan and identified with the life themes.* Some time ago I submitted a copy of Aliisa's Letter to Writer's Digest for their book awards. Last week I received a certificate and an evaluation of my book. *Aliisa's Letter* was placed in the Mainstream/Literary Fiction category. The judge gave me an excellent rating for grammar. With excitement I showed the letter to my husband. I smiled as he looked up, the name of our daughter on his lips. Our daughter edited my manuscript. I have joy thinking about the hours we spent together. She had recently given birth to a beautiful baby girl. I spent days at her home rocking the baby and helping with housework while she went through the manuscript a page at a time with her red pen. Together we checked grammar against the Chicago Manual of Style. I am thankful for the bond of our friendship that has deepened. I couldn't wait to show her the evaluation. When she read the judges marks and comments we both shared a moment of joy. The judge wrote these comments about my story: The writing sparkles with this author's passion for family history and for understanding the ways of the heart, and her compassion for the human experience with all of its ups and downs, especially in the area of romantic love. The author writes an engaging tale while always keeping at the forefront the joys and travails of putting one's heart on the line and making oneself vulnerable through the act of giving the heart. An inspiring story showing strength of character and personal growth of two women, then and now. The cast of characters encountered here is, individually and collectively, certainly strong enough to carry the narrative, which prompts the reader's interest in always wanting to know what will happen next. Joy often comes unexpectedly, alighting like a butterfly. As I go forward in the new year I will treasure the moments of joy. May we all be blessed with recognizing and enjoying special moments ahead. This post is linked to the Faith Jam. Words and Writing
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