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All life is sacred...

  As I sat down on the grass before this unassuming building, I placed my cell phone next to me on silent. Between putting my phone down and lifting up my hands to grasp them together, I saw a small green caterpillar...no bigger than one of my freckles crawling across my knuckle.
   I was here to pray, not to play with bugs, and as I gathered air into my lungs to blow away this tiny bug, I stopped. Here I was, in front of the only abortive clinic in Tulsa, fulfilling an hour of prayer I signed up for weeks prior, playing with a bug. But it wasn't just a bug.
   Most people know how sensitive I am toward living things. From the largest animal to the smallest green caterpillar, I am a huge proponent of keeping life sacred and alive. I know that some consider me a hypocrite for eating meat when I so desire all animals to live long and healthy lives, but I suppose that they should know...I would never kill an animal. I have mo desire nor the need.
   Having said that, I understand the necessity for the killing of animals for food. And as I watched this caterpillar, I realized how truly sacred all life is. This building, across from me, allows women to legally kill what I believe to be life. And it isn't just the life of a caterpillar or a dog or an endangered animal...no. It is the life of a human being. A life that was created by the combining of two people through the act of sexual intercourse.
   This blog isn't about whether or not this girl was raped or some man lied to her concerning his love for her or if her father or brother took sick advantage of her. No, this is simply about the fact that ALL life is sacred. Do I believe in the act of abortion? Never. Do I personally know people who have had one? Yes. Is there hate in my heart for them? Never. Is there peace for them? Absolutely.
   I have never been in a situation in which I would ever need to consider having an abortion. I pray everyday that I never do. I also pray for those who have to make this decision...because they shouldn't have to. But life isn't perfect. My parents chose life for me, and I may not be everything they wish I was, but I have the opportunity to make decisions that can perhaps bring about change in this world...every human life deserves that opportunity. Every. Single. One.
   I pray that abortion ends. Not just the ones that are done in sterile clinics with doctors and proper nurses, but also (and especially) the ones that are self-inflicted, and those not done under the careful watch of someone who could save them if necessary, and also those that are done by maniacs who consider themselves health professionals. I want all abortion to end...not just the ones done in that unassuming building that I sat across from.

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