Editor's note. The following appeared last month on the blog of Canadian pro-life activist, Mark Pickup. He is discussing the powerful joint message he and his wife, LaRee, delivered at the Prayer Breakfast at NRLC's annual convention. Take a few minutes to read this and then be sure to order a CD of their message at www.nrlc.org/convention/NRLC2010CDOrderForm.pdf

LaRee PIckup, holding a powerful visual! Mark Pickup is looking on.

My wife, LaRee, (pronounced like Marie except with an L) and I delivered the keynote address to the 2010 U.S. National Right to Life Prayer Breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA. The ballroom was packed with Pro-Life and religious leaders from across America. We dealt with abortion and post- abortion grief (we killed our first child by abortion in 1971). We spoke from our personal experiences about the suffering and grief of serious degenerative disability (multiple sclerosis) and how such conditions impact not only individuals but their families. (Unresolved grief often fuels consideration of assisted suicide and euthanasia.)

Although I addressed a man's perspective on abortion as well as suffering associated with acquired disability -- from the perspective of the individual who is chronically ill -- LaRee unintentionally stole the presentation with her riveting account of abortion and its aftermath, from the perspective of a frightened and confused 17-year-old girl faced with an unwanted pregnancy. Her gripping and heart-wrenching testimony of a spouse of a mate enduring the ravages of aggressive and degenerative disability, and the sorrow and grief of watching a loved one degenerate, captured the attention of every person in the conference room. At one point she reflected: "I think it is easier to be the one degenerating than to watch the degeneration."

You could have heard a pin drop as the sold-out Prayer Breakfast audience sat in rapt attention to her every word.

Mark Pickup, following the Prayer Breakfast, chatting with NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz.

I was the secondary part of the speech: LaRee spoke with such indisputable authority of someone who knows the major Life issues of our time at the deepest heart level. She wore her vulnerability on her sleeve and it connected with every young woman, mother and grandmother in the ballroom.

I sat awestruck at the command with which LaRee delivered her message. She took the audience on a journey from the perspective and mindset of a pregnant and frightened teenager, through the abortion experience, the pain of post-abortion grief, to the shock and fear of a wife learning her husband has been diagnosed with a serious degenerative disability. LaRee spoke with remarkable candor about being angry with God and life -- then concluded with how He bound her broken-heart to give her a new and greater understanding of life and love (both human and divine).

When we finished, the audience jumped to their feet in a prolonged standing ovation. LaRee was quickly surrounded by a crowd of women. They shared with LaRee their stories of abortion, disabled family members or loved ones with chronically or terminally illnesses. One weeping lady embraced LaRee and said, "Thank you. I'm going to try to be a better wife." (Her husband is chronically ill.)

The President of Michigan Right to Life immediately booked us to address their annual convention in September (but I think it is LaRee they really want to hear). Other state Right to Life organizations inquired about possibly coming to their states. LaRee was stunned by the overwhelming show of support and affection she received. People really identified with her message.

It seems that LaRee's life experiences have come together for a time such as this. Some people will listen, some will not. But her message is rooted and solid in an understanding of God's love, forgiveness and hope. LaRee speaks from a vulnerable, hurting heart to other vulnerable and hurting hearts. And love is the language of vulnerable hearts. LaRee has both in spades.

The U.S. National Right to Life Prayer Breakfast showed that LaRee's pro-Life message is timely for women across North America (and our life denying culture, if it will only listen).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please send your comments on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today to　daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha