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!!!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Steve Keller Has a Say

I have a say because of the complete unselfishness of my two wonderful parents and because of the tender loving mercy of God.

My parents, who were both born in the time period shortly before WWII, were both victims of Polio in their childhood. They both ended up losing the use of their legs and were confined to wheelchairs. They met in college, got married, and proceeded to have and raise children. I am the youngest of five. The fourth child we never had a chance to know in this life, as it was a miscarriage. I have a say because, even after that miscarriage, even after the trials and troubles of having and caring for three children while confined to wheelchairs, my parents tried again.

I have a say because of the gentle love and care of God. I was born about two months early in October of 1977. To say I was premature is an understatement. I was nearly a miscarriage myself. They didn't expect me to live and I was baptized almost immediately. God had a plan though and cared for me and brought me through that time. Now I am married with two beautiful girls and a third child on the way. My parents unselfishly took the risk of trying a fifth time and gave me a chance. God gave me the gift of life and I intend to use this gift and this chance to have my say. I intend to have my say and to speak up for all those who may not ever have a chance to have their say.

4 comments:

  1. "I Have A Say Because My Parents Didn't Abort Me or Use Contraception"

    The topic is a illogical because EVERYONE that is being born resulted from one's biological parents didn't abort their baby or use contraception.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve, your testimony has to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.

    ReplyDelete