Sonnet LXXV

One day I wrote her name upon the sand,
But came the waves and washed it away;
Again I wrote it with a second hand.
But came the tide and made my pains his prey.
"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay
A mortal thing so to immortalize,
For I myself shall like to this decay,
And eke my name be wiped out likewise,"
"Not so," quod I, "let baser things devise
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame;
My verse your virtues rare shall eternize
And in the heavens write your glorious name,
Where, whenas death shall all the world subdue,
Our love shall live, and later life renew."


by Edmund Spenser
1522 - 1599

Oaths, Ethics, and Sanctity of Life

On this the 38th anniversary of Roe v Wade, allow me to relate a story showing how God gave opportunity for witness in an unlikely setting.

Standing firm in one's convictions is never an easy thing to do, especially if you dont know what you believe.

Thankfully, the Lord shined His Face upon me at an early age, informing my heart and mind of not only His Love, but also His Law.

In addition, God gave me a husband who knows and serves Him, too.

That means we know what we believe by reading Scripture with the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit.

But if you're not sure where to stand on this issue, we recommend R. C. Sproul's book, Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue, recently re-printed and distributed to every member of Congress.

Now for the story.

Early in medical school (1982), DH was in class when the professor interrupted his lecture to poll his students.  This was a little unusual, but it must have related to the topic.

The question concerned abortion ~

In the first scenario, the professor asked, "In general, would you as a medical doctor perform an abortion?"  And if so, he directed, move from your seat to a seat on the other side of the room.

A fair number of students moved.

In the second scenario, the professor queried, in the case of rape, would you perform the abortion?

A few more students moved to the other side of the room.

In the third scenario, the situation became more dire as the life of the mother is in danger:  would you perform an abortion?

The final few students moved to the other side of the room, leaving my husband seated alone.

He stood firm, upholding the Hippocratic Oath, not bowing to situational ethics, and demonstrating in a remarkable way the sanctity of life.


Sounds like a *Martin Luther* moment, dont ya think?

I was very proud of him when he told me that story over dinner that evening.

I still am.


PS  Here's a link to KSJ's talk recently delivered at a medical conference.  Take a listen and be informed about the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.

A Woman's Answer to a Man's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above—
A woman's heart, and a woman's life
And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.


Mary T. Lathrap
1838 - 1895

[Written in reply to a man's poetic unfolding of what he conceived to be a woman's duty.]


Photo taken Fall 1977
Hillsdale, Michigan

My Hero

On the battlefield, when surrounded and cheered by pomp, excitement, and admiration of devoted comrades, and inspired by strains of martial music and the hope of future reward, it is comparatively easy to be a hero, to do heroic deeds.


But to uphold honor in ordinary circumstances, to be a hero in common life, that is a genuine achievement meriting our highest admiration.

Booker T. Washington

1856 – 1915

HUSBAND LOVE

Five Things I've Learned

from my husband
1) Laughter is good medicine.
2) Chinese food is a must!
3) Non-verbal communication is a language.
4) Exercise is fun. Repeat three time :)
5) To eat popcorn at the movies.

If you stop by, wont you consider leaving a birthday wish for him?