Let's not take mothers for granted

All of us owe our lives to our mothers. For the majority of us, this means the mothers who carried us in their wombs, nurtured us after birth, and raised us into adulthood.

	Editor's View Mary C. Uhler

For others, the name "mother" might include a biological mother and an adoptive mother, a stepmother, or even a grandmother who played a role in caring for us.

Changes in society

I think we used to take motherhood for granted. But not any longer. With the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion in 1973, along with many changes in society, we certainly can't rely on pregnant women to carry their babies to term.

It often takes courage for women - both married and unmarried - to become mothers. Our society in more recent years has not valued motherhood as much as it has in the past. While advances in job opportunities for women are good things, some women may feel that being on the "mommy track" will not benefit their career. Some husbands may not want to be tied down with the responsibilities of children. Couples delay pregnancy until it's too late.

Quest for a 'perfect' child

Women who do become pregnant today also seem to be succumbing to the quest for a "perfect" child. This leads to increasing use of techniques to discover possible health problems in the unborn. Often, women are choosing to abort the imperfect child.

A recent article on ZENIT news service reported that some countries are allowing a screening program known as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to screen a mother's in-vitro embryos for hereditary disorders. Sometimes the disorders are not that serious. For example, a couple in England received approval to test their embryos for a genetic defect that leads to high cholesterol levels!

Ultrasound tests

Having both a daughter-in-law and a daughter who are expecting babies, I know that ultrasound tests can be a wonderful experience. Seeing pictures of your baby is such a joy for expectant parents (and for grandparents, too).

Knowing about potential health problems facing the pre-born baby can be helpful. But it can also cause parents to face some tough decisions. I've heard that over three-fourths of expectant mothers who are told their baby may have Down Syndrome decide to abort the baby. Yet often these tests in the womb are inconclusive. And so much can be done now to help these babies lead happy lives.

Thank you, Mom

Babies born in 2008 can indeed say "thank you" to their mothers for saying "yes" to life. With all the challenges facing mothers and fathers today, these babies are fortunate their parents were open to bringing them into the world, either to raise them themselves or to allow an adoptive family, stepparents, or grandparents to raise them.

Let us thank, encourage, support, and pray for all mothers on Mother's Day, May 11. Let's not make the mistake of taking them for granted!

Mailbag

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Use stimulus payments to help those most in need

To the editor:

Our federal government has begun sending so-called "economic stimulus payments" to us. These payments will range from approximately $300 to more than $2,000 depending upon the recipient's marital status and number of children. These are not tax refunds.

Because this is not money any of us had taken into account when planning our budgets for this year, this is a prime opportunity for each of us to use this money to help those in our society who are most in need. Funding from our government to help those in need has been cut tremendously in recent years even as the number of those who need assistance has risen.

Food pantries, homeless shelters, and other organizations which help those in need are experiencing extreme pressures. Why not donate this unexpected money to a food pantry, homeless shelter, Catholic Charities, or some other charitable organization which assists those in need?

Throughout His public ministry Jesus consistently preached that we must care for those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, in need of clothing, or have other needs. How we care for those in need is the basis on which we will each be judged one day by Almighty God (Matthew 25:31-46).

For those who can afford to do so, I urge you to donate this entire "stimulus check" to an organization to help those in need. For those who feel they cannot afford to donate the entire amount, perhaps half or some other percentage would be appropriate.

Patrick K. McDonald, Janesville