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Newborn baby elicits gratitude as Thanksgiving Day approaches |
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By Kathy Tomlin
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
I am so thankful for Thanksgiving. It calls me to be in touch with all of the abundance in my life and for the possibilities of new life that are in front of me.
Faith and Justice
Kathy Tomlin
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One of the most life-giving events of this past year occurred for those of us at the Office for Social Justice when Adam Robinson, the office’s public policy organizer, and his wife, Annie, gave birth to a beautiful little girl named Kate. Not only has this new life been important to Adam’s immediate family, but to his work family as well.
Periodically, Annie and Kate drop by for a visit and it sets the office
into a twitter. Of course Annie and Adam are always the proud parents;
but the entire office staff members are the proud colleague parents of
this beautiful little child. It is what I believe Pope John Paul II
called us to when he said, “We are all really responsible for all” (“On
Social Concerns”).
Kate has the biggest, most beautiful eyes and is now big enough that
you aren’t afraid you might drop her as she wriggles in your arms.
Sister Kerry, parish organizer, whose baptismal name is Kathy, and I
(called Katie because there were so many Kathys, my initials being
K.T.) tell Kate she was named after us, because our names share the
same root.
Both Cheryl, justice leadership development manager, and AnneMarie,
receptionist/communications coordinator, remember when their little
girls were born — both with some yearning for and gratefulness that
those years have gone by. All of us “ooh” and “ahh” like any adult with
a child when she visits. Patrick, public policy manager, and Gary,
office manager, look on with awe even though they are hesitant and a
bit anxious about holding her fragile little frame.
Thankful for new life
This is an experience of community and what it means to be thankful for
life and for how new life can change the everyday. For sure, Adam and
Annie’s lives are changed, but so are all of ours!
These past few months have been a reminder to me of how important it is
to share new life and how as a society we have to do everything we can
to protect, empower and encourage our children. Every child deserves
to have the same support and love and the same opportunities for
education and prosperity.
As adults in this society, we should welcome the opportunity to
sacrifice in order that we invest in this child, in all children and in
future generations. Ensuring that our kids have health care, early
childhood education, stable housing and a supportive community is the
best thing we can do for them and for their future.
At this time of Thanksgiving, I recommit myself to the work of justice,
knowing that leaving anyone out and without just can’t be an option. I
have a responsibility to those children who live in vulnerable
situations, and it is unacceptable to think that someone, somewhere
else will take care of them.
With Thanksgiving’s abundance comes grave responsibility.
Kathy Tomlin is director of the Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice.
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