Truly this is one of the most honest and touching moments you will ever see from a pro-life and Catholic politician ever.
Boehner, while accepting the Hyde pro-life award, chokes up when he reveals that he is one of twelve children and he is so happy that they are all here.
Politicians can say a lot of words. For me, this speaks volumes.
It is short so please watch it through to the end.
May 7, 2010 at 7:25 am
That's great. I'm 2nd of 8 and I feel the same way – how could I get rid of any of them? But my parents started getting condescending looks and rude comments at #4. How much poorer our lives would have been if they had conformed to these deadly modern standards.
May 7, 2010 at 12:46 pm
One of my close friends was the oldest of six. She told me this story. Her younger brother was hitting those embarassed by everything teenage years and he was embarassed by all the children his mom had. He told his mom that, and she said simply, "Well if you really feel that way, which one of your brothers or sisters would you want to get rid of?" I think he understood from then on.
May 7, 2010 at 1:00 pm
This act might be believable if Boehner didn't cry at the drop of a hat. Reagan statue unveiling, Iraq war budget, HCR, etc., etc., etc.
May 7, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Craig, you are a jerk. Some people feel emotion deeply to the heart, and we laugh and love easily and we are deeply emotional. My dear father teared up at anything to do with family, and I cry at the drop of a hat too. It's not an act, and it's a great gift to feel so deeply. I cried when Boehner cried… I stopped when I read your assinine comment.
May 7, 2010 at 2:09 pm
As the mother of 9, I could not imagine when I had three, how I would manage 3. I could not believe how much I loved my next or my next or my next or my next or my next or how my youngest would make me pay even more attention than I did for my first.
So I hope my kids will when they grow up, thank God for all their brothers and sisters and recognize the richness that is that gift of having 8 other souls in the universe that root for them, that love them, that call on their birthdays and are willing to fight with them, invite them to celebrate their victories, and remind them of all the times I messed up when they were kids.
May 7, 2010 at 2:54 pm
And SherryTex's comments made ME cry too. Agree with Anon from 8:17 – every word. But, love you anyway, Craig, and pray for you.
May 7, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Made me cry too… so did you, SherryTex. It's nice to hear moms like you saying such beautiful things when so often we from big families hear ourselves referred to as a "handful"…I love my 5 brothers and sister, and I hope someday I am even half the mom mine is!!
Praise God for big families!!
May 7, 2010 at 8:51 pm
No. 16 of 16 here…heading to No. 10's house tomorrow to celebrate Mom's 86th Birthday (she is in perfect health, except for a bum knee probably developed playing tennis when she was in her 50's) and to celebrate Mother's Day for us all! Just an intimate family part of around 40 or so…just those of us within driving distance 🙂
May 7, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Thanks to all of you from large families (whether kids from, or parents of, or both!) for your Christian witness and your generosity of spirit! As an only child (OK, I have a half-sister and half-brother young enough to be my own children, so I barely know them), I can attest to the fact that there is a tremendous sense of both responsibility towards my mother, and also loneliness in knowing that I won't be able to share my joys and sorrows over my mom as she gets older with any other siblings. I know there are many family issues and arguments among siblings, but as an adult with a mother growing older now, I would give anything to have a sibling or two with whom to share family life. Sadly, mom always wanted to have more children, but dad wasn't fertile enough then, and then they divorced. Adult siblings are a tremendous blessing, so be thankful for yours, those of you who have them!
May 10, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I got the most wonderful homemade Mother's Day card yesterday from my 11 year old (oldest of 6). He scanned a photo of me and the wrote underneath, "Dear Mommy, I thank you for an education. I thank you for these five siblings. I thank you for everything you have ever given to or done for me. And most of all I thank you for your love. Your son, Will."
October 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm
There is no God, and the sooner you accept this the sooner you can stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution.