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Reflections on the "Terri
Schiavo Life & Hope" Concert Part Two of Three By Dave Andrusko If I could have, I would have gone to the 1st annual "Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Concert." But National Right to Life was more than ably represented last Sunday at the fundraising concert to benefit the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, by Executive Director David N. O'Steen, Ph.D., and State Organization and Development Director Jacki Ragan.
Held at the Murat Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, the concert was life-affirming in the best sense of the term. Obviously, the reason there is a Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation is grim: Terri died when she was unjustly denied food and fluids as the result of a titanic legal struggle that went on for years and years. But forged in that battle is a foundation that is dedicated to battling the mentality that people who are imperfect are "better off dead." And that love of life was on rich display three nights ago.
Like almost everyone, I have enjoyed the music of Randy Travis and Collin Raye. Each is a music legend in his own right. Each performed for more than an hour. Each dedicated two autograph guitars, one of which was raffled off, the other auctioned to raise funds to help the foundation. We've written about Collin Raye's powerful pro-life song in this space before. (http://www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/Jan10/nv010710part2.html). As I explained at the time, the song "She's with me" was dedicated to his little granddaughter who is "very, very special" but is also very ill with a neurological condition no one has been able to diagnose. He tells us (at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5RDJnF2vI) that her symptoms first appeared when she was two, and that her condition is regressing. That little one died on the Saturday before Easter and was buried a week ago today. Despite his grief, a mere four days later Mr. Raye traveled to Indianapolis to lift up the Schindler family and all those who came from around the country to show their solidarity.
What a testimony to courage, to faithfulness, and to life. Please send your comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com. |
