We are so fortunate to have as our featured speaker Karen Santorum, mother of eight children, including Gabriel and Bella, and wife of Senator Rick Santorum
Their son, Gabriel Michael, who was born prematurely and died two hours after birth on October 11, 1996. Karen wrote Letters to Gabriel which expresses the bond between mother and child with incredible tenderness and love. The book makes a bold and profound statement about the gift of life, family values, the bond between parent and child, the grieving process and the paradox of suffering.
According to George Will, "When the Santorums received a blessing named Gabriel, they suddenly experienced the reality at the heart of a public policy argument about respect for life."
Four days after Rick and Karen Santorum welcomed their eighth baby into the world in 2008 they were given the devastating news that their little girl, Bella, was going to die. Bella's disorder, Trisomy 18, is a rarer, more lethal cousin of Down syndrome. Only half of babies born with it survive a week; only ten percent see their first birthday. Bella recently celebrated her seventh birthday.
Bella's Gift is the story of how the entire family came together to love and care for Bella and how God strengthened them during the storms and blessed their family with grace, peace, and joy.
Searchingly honest, faith filled, and surprisingly joyful, Bella's Gift is a loving, lived-out testimony to the truth that everyone counts, even "the least of these." Be sure to save the date: October 22, 2015.
I would like to share this poem, whose author is unknown but whose thoughts are universal. Blessings to all you Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers and Mothers-in-spirit! Anne
There is no love like a mother's love,
no stronger bond on earth
Like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother when she gives birth.
A mother's love is forever strong,
never changing for all time
And when her children need her most,
a mother's love will shine.
God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one
For all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they've done.
When her days on earth are over,
a mother's love lives on
Through many generations,
with God's blessings on each one.
Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love
From the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.
