The Mom Weekly Volume 75, January 14, 2025
You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.
Notes:
I actually had this “From the Vault” ready to replay for next week, but then I looked up the actual day of the inauguration, and rather than be “behind the news,” I decided to move the publication date up.
If you are having deja vu, it’s because I ran this same “From the Vault” one year ago. But I thought it was even more apropos this year, when we have an inauguration. And I absolutely stand by what I wrote one year ago, and 16 years ago. We really do live in the greatest country in the world. So I’m calling it a “From the Vault (Replay).”
“So a Man Can Stand Up” (From the Vault “Replay,” January 22, 2009)
I saw this post when I was looking around at “likely ones” for “From the Vault” editions (see this post for the explanation). I could share from those blogging days, and I found this post from January 2009. For a minute, I was hesitant to share this reflection, from the inauguration and from the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Not everyone who reads The Mom Weekly shares my pro-life views, and I don’t want to make anyone feel bad or excluded from this.
But no one is surprised to know that I’m still solidly pro-life (remember: I’m Team Baby !!!), and I’m not trying to change anyone’s views here. I love everyone in my extended family, and I try to be honest about where I’m coming from. At the same time, I can acknowledge and honor that other people have different views.
But as I read through this old post, I thought: I would not change a single word. And I didn’t. And I am actually pretty proud of what I wrote, when I was 15 years younger and less mature than I am now!
Even though a lot of things have happened since this time — and a lot has culturally changed (understatement!!!) — I feel more confident in what I wrote. I am still the goofy corny person who believes—even more so now—that we live in the greatest country in the world.
Remember how much I love you,
Mom
From the Vault: So a Man Can Stand Up (January 22, 2009)
This year we are studying American history in our home, and corny or not, I keep thinking to myself and remarking to whoever is listening: we live in the greatest country in the world.
I’m especially inspired by the bravery and the heroism and the intellectual power of the founders of our country. We’ve read tons of books about the American Revolution. I especially like the Jean Fritz ones; they are quick reads and so enjoyable.
Last summer we listened to the audiobook of Esther Forbes’ Johnny Tremain on a trip to Ohio, and while it could be slow-moving at parts (thus I was so grateful for the long minivan ride), the overall effect was truly “living history,” a novel to help us experience and understand this period in history and some of the people who made it happen.
I don’t want to give away the end of Johnny Tremain, so I won’t provide the whole context of this quote, but it was brought vividly to my mind this week:
“You remember that night…that last meeting of the Observers. James Otis came, although we didn’t want him. I can’t remember much of what he said, but I remember how his words made the gooseskin on my arms.’
‘I’ll never forget it. He said..so a man can stand up.’
‘Yes. And some of us would die–so other men can stand up on their feet like men. A great many are going to die for that. They have in the past. They will a hundred years from now–two hundred. God grant there will always be men good enough.’
Johnny Tremain was published and won the Newberry Medal in 1944. It was during the midst of World War II, when the Greatest Generation was serving and dying for these freedoms again. And still we have people good enough, who are willing to serve and protect our country and our world. How amazing. So that a man can stand up…
We had a “television day” Tuesday, and watched the inauguration throughout the day. Apart from the fashions (that’s for another post!) I was teary through much of the traditions accompanying it. We have—not just a peaceful, but a gracious—transfer of power every time there is a new president.
Other places in the world, even today, have civil war or unrest, coups or dictators. We have the first African-American president, a mere generation away from segregation and a time when it would have seemed impossible. I do not agree with so many policies of Obama, but I couldn’t stop the tears when he took the oath.
Sir, on the way back from a meeting an hour from home and heading back to the office, stopped at home to watch the actual signing in. He was moved, and that got me teary again, especially by the words of the Reverend Joseph Lowery, the civil rights and spiritual leader who had seen so much, and suffered so much (Sir told me how Lowery was beaten and worse during the civil rights struggle), and yet lived to see this day and give the benediction. So that a man can stand up…
Today we have another “television day” at our house, to watch live coverage of the March for Life (on EWTN). I am so happy kids got up early enough so we could go to Mass. Our wonderful pastor gave a wonderful reflection about being life-giving, rather than life-draining.
Our kitchen is still a construction zone, so since work was underway when we came home from Mass, we went to McDonald’s for breakfast. While the kids were eating I read them, for the umpteenth time, Regina Doman’s luminous picture book, Angel in the Waters. I can’t ever read that book without crying, especially on the page, “Then there was light.”
Homegirl asked why I was getting choked up, and probably thinking, but not saying, why are you crying a lot this week?. I told them that it made me emotional to remember having them as babies, and it made me emotional to see the angel on every page and realize we are surrounded by our own guardian angels, and it also made me emotional, on this day of penance, to realize how vulnerable babies are and how they need to be protected.
And so I am bracing myself for what President Obama might do to promote or make abortion easier, and I am heavy of heart, and hoping and praying that he does not make it a high priority.
It is likely that Obama will sign executive orders in favor of abortion—perhaps today—and nothing can really been done about it, except pray and work hard on issues we can, and to support and lift up in prayer those who are wounded by abortion, both those who speak out and those who remain silent.
We can also be grateful for the tremendous gift of life, and cherish life, and be life-givers. And to remember that there is no liberty, no pursuit of happiness, without life. And we can: “imagine the possibilities….so a man can stand up.”
Interesting/Notable:
New Year’s Resolution: Bring Back the Aunties
This is such a good idea. And honestly, older women are pretty awesome, and I don’t just think that because I am one.
After Exam Controversy, Georgetown Law Student Urge Policy Change
I shared this with my sisters in the Sisters Letterloop, but I thought it was worth sharing here as well, exactly as I shared it there!
A dentist who attends my book group told the story of how she was not accommodated at all 12 years ago when she was pregnant with her first child in dental school (a doctor also shared her experiences around the same time). And that brought up this recent article in The Pillar about a Georgetown University law student who fought for accommodations, not just for herself, but for future students experiencing this. Really worth a read!
Also, here is some of the backstory of the article from its author, Leah Libresco Sargent (she also linked to yet another fascinating article she wrote about current dating culture. She’s such a good writer!)
An Action Item: Make some soup this week
It’s been so cold here today and for the next few days. That has me thinking of soup. I am glad that I made My Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Now I want to make some other kind of soup. I encourage you to, as well!