I Have A Say Thanks to My Mom and Dad!!!

Being the oldest of 11, I am so thankful, especially now, for my Mom and Dad saying "yes" to life! Growing up, we never had a ton of money. My Dad was a high school chemistry teacher and my parents decided from the beginning that they wanted to have one of them home with us. My mom gave up her teaching career, and raised me, followed by 10 others! My Mom also taught all 11 of us at home for part of our childhood before we would head off to Nativity Catholic Grade School. My Dad worked long hours, eventually earning other degrees so that he could first become dean, then principal, and finally, when I was a sophomore, he was named Roncalli High School's first president. My Dad and Mom both sacrificed SO MUCH for us.

I remember, even as a young person, getting stared at by people, and I remember the comments they would make. I can still hear a dental receptionist asking my Mom "Are these all yours? You know how children are made right?" followed by a real insidious but ditzy chuckle, followed by a secretarial gum crackle. My Mom and Dad were always tight budget wise, and I'm sure at times ached with a desire to not have to take bags of clothes from other families so that we could have clothes. I'm sure my Mom and Dad had desires to simply go to Nordstrom and buy us and give us all our own new clothes and Gameboys and Reebok Pumps etc. I'm sure they at times really wished they could just get a new car and not have to drive a fifteen passenger van around. I'm sure at times they wanted really badly to just go to a restaurant and sit back and enjoy a big expensive meal instead of having to cut coupons and craft together economic meals on the stove.

But they chose life for us, and they chose sacrifice for themselves.

I often think about that ditzy secretary now when our family gets together almost every weekend for dinner to laugh and hang out. Some of the siblings might be out of town or busy with other obligations, but inevitably, all weekend long, every weekend, our family gets together. Sometimes, when we're out at a restaraunt, I see the couples who are alone with each other. They hardly talk to each other and the loneliness is palpable. A part of me feels bad that we're having so much fun with our 8 tables shoved together, telling stories, laughing good hearty and healthy laughs. Sometimes I wonder if one of the couples sitting in the restaurant quietly and solemnly is that dental secretary - who now has piles of money and can eat wherever she wants, but doesn't have hardly anyone to share it with. My heart breaks for the people who are alone, especially the ones who are alone because, when they could have been having children, they instead bought into the contraception lie and lived for themselves only.

I have a say today, and so do my ten younger brothers and sisters, because my parents chose life. Mom and Dad - thanks a million!!!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Joe Hollowell (My Dad)

I have a say and because of many brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom.  Thanks to them, I live in a country that let's me have a say.  I have gone to schools (mostly Catholic) where I learned it was important for me to have my say.  I have grandchildren who I hope will have a say someday in a land where they are free to live and worship as they see fit.  Lord willing, come next November, I will have a say as to who is running this country, voting on our laws, and making decisions on who will be our judges.  At that time I will say to those who infringe upon my right to live, pray, and worship as God calls me to do that I will do everything in my power to see that they are vanquished from any seat of power from which they have tried to restrict our freedom of religion so preciously provided through the ultimate sacrifice of the lives of my forefathers in liberty. 
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4 comments:

  1. AgenaFebruary 28, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    You GO! Awesome! I have tears in my eyes! Thank you so much!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 1, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    Thank you so much ! I read Father John's I have a say speech , sent from a dear friend, this morning. I am deeply touched. I was really happy to hear that we Catholics have a say and can fight back. The good folks never get to do that and the loud protesters get away with being heard while we disappear into the background.

    Not now ! Thank you for speaking out, Mr. Hollowell for your words and for your son. What a great gift your large family is. I have 2 friends with 6 and 7 kids, and my son, my only child ( plus 2 stepsons), loves all those children. I hope he has a big family !

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  3. AnonymousMarch 1, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Thanks for bringing up the vote in Congress today during prayer!
    -Rebel '12

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  4. Hanam VMarch 2, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    Father John... Thank you for continually serving our our Great Lord and for your stewardship. Although I am located out in California, we are united as one Family under Christ and Mother Church... so just know that I am praying for you, your ministry, and our Church. With love in Christ, thank you for all that you do and your daily sacrifice. I will continue to stand by our Church, our Pontiff, and the full teachings of our wonderful Lord.

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