The Big

It is the big A, and has infiltrated every woman’s thoughts at some point in their lives.

It is not new historically. My Mother was offered the option, in my presence, during her last pregnancy at 47.

She chose to decline, also in my presence.

Yet, it is not a choice every woman has had to make during their years of fertility.

Many choose not to reproduce.

Others are bound by conscience and abide by dogmas of faith.

Some prefer to control the opportunities for unwanted pregnancies.

And yes, a significant group of others are put in the unenviable position of making a decision that often becomes a burden for a lifetime.

And no, I will not condemn nor salute their choices or decisions.

It is not for me to say or question and yet an uncounted number of strident voices are raised with passion on both sides of the controversy..

The highest court in the land is expected momentarily to issue a legal decision that will become controversial the moment it is announced regardless of their pronouncement.

And again I return to the question, why is this even happening in the year 2022?

Why are men and women in black suits making a decision about another’s body?

We have evolved in so many ways as life continues on its fragile path, but some things seemingly never change.

I cannot help but return to the words I heard early in life from an older woman, who had made her own sorrowful choice quite different from my Mother’s.

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

I only wish those memorable words could be declared the law of our land by those in power.