### ABORTION ###
I have for years been against abortion, being raised Christian (Catholic) and in Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school, it was entrenched into my inner core just how wrong abortion is. Throughout my life, I have had several opportunities to promote an abortion in some form or fashion, and I ALWAYS did all I could to prevent or keep someone from having one. It wasn't until this pregnancy, with Claire, that I might have ever really challenged my real beliefs. When we found out early on that Claire had Trisomy-18, I would be lying if I did not say that I "may" have been able to be talked into terminating the pregnancy. You see, Tammy & I are always on the go. Every weekend, we are either at the Auburn game (home or away), or maybe the Bama game (if Auburn is playing a nobody), or at the hunting camp December & January, or the condo the rest of the year. How could we settle down and care for a "special needs" child. We just don't have the time needed for this. We would probably do this poor child an injustice by bringing her into our lives! I promise you, had Tammy just nodded in my direction and said, "what do you think if..." I might have agreed. Luckily for US, we did not breech this topic.
From about the 7th month on, when we were just waiting for a miscarry, I started questioning WHY. What could we possibly learn from this. I told Tammy, if we go all the way to term and lose the baby in the delivery room, just how tragic would that be. A full term, complete delivery, and nothing to show for it. Why not terminate early?
Let me tell you, I had NO idea just how much I would learn. Many of you have written to say God gives us what we need. I now know that to be correct. As I have said before, Claire has done more good in 14 days of life than Tammy & I in our years combined. God gives us free will, but he always wants us to use it wisely. I don't know what, but Claire still has something to teach us, and we look forward to learning from her each day.
The main point behind this is: No matter how much you teach and preach to your children; push them a little bit more, make sure they understand just how selfish abortion is, and just how lucky and fortunate we can be, when we least expect it!
I have for years been against abortion, being raised Christian (Catholic) and in Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school, it was entrenched into my inner core just how wrong abortion is. Throughout my life, I have had several opportunities to promote an abortion in some form or fashion, and I ALWAYS did all I could to prevent or keep someone from having one. It wasn't until this pregnancy, with Claire, that I might have ever really challenged my real beliefs. When we found out early on that Claire had Trisomy-18, I would be lying if I did not say that I "may" have been able to be talked into terminating the pregnancy. You see, Tammy & I are always on the go. Every weekend, we are either at the Auburn game (home or away), or maybe the Bama game (if Auburn is playing a nobody), or at the hunting camp December & January, or the condo the rest of the year. How could we settle down and care for a "special needs" child. We just don't have the time needed for this. We would probably do this poor child an injustice by bringing her into our lives! I promise you, had Tammy just nodded in my direction and said, "what do you think if..." I might have agreed. Luckily for US, we did not breech this topic.
From about the 7th month on, when we were just waiting for a miscarry, I started questioning WHY. What could we possibly learn from this. I told Tammy, if we go all the way to term and lose the baby in the delivery room, just how tragic would that be. A full term, complete delivery, and nothing to show for it. Why not terminate early?
Let me tell you, I had NO idea just how much I would learn. Many of you have written to say God gives us what we need. I now know that to be correct. As I have said before, Claire has done more good in 14 days of life than Tammy & I in our years combined. God gives us free will, but he always wants us to use it wisely. I don't know what, but Claire still has something to teach us, and we look forward to learning from her each day.
The main point behind this is: No matter how much you teach and preach to your children; push them a little bit more, make sure they understand just how selfish abortion is, and just how lucky and fortunate we can be, when we least expect it!
posted by CLAIRE COX @ Tuesday, October 17, 2006
15 Comments:
At 6:44 AM, October 19, 2006,
Cindy Nicholason said…
Blessings from Italy to the Cox family!
Tammy and Billy,
This comes to you from Naples, Italy. I hope you remember me through our mutual friend, Sandi Zoghby, and the sewing I did for you first nursery!
I was home in August and ran into Sandi who shared your news with me. I have kept up with the events of Claire's birth and progress through your website and cannot tell you how proud I am that both of you are walking in faith through this incredible journey.
My father was paralyzed from the neck down when I was 7 years old and was told he would never walk again. He was 42 at the time with a wife and 4 children! 13 months later, out of sheer determination, he swung his legs off the side of the bed and walked and continued to do until his death in 1986! From the day of his paralysis continuing through his final illness, the focus of our entire family was toward his physical handicap, his struggles and his needs. Many, many times over the course of the years we all wondered why, but in the last conversation I had with him I told him it had become crystal clear to me that God gave us a man with no legs to teach us all to walk tall and to rely on faith.
Continue to embrace the wonder of this pint-sized miracle and know that your entire family is supported by "prayers of the faithful." I am awe-inspired by your testimony and strength.
My husband and I will visit Rome again soon and will take a prayer request for your family and for Claire's continued healing to the Vatican.
God bless you all,
Cindy (White) Nicholason
At 7:39 AM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Tammy and Billy ,
I look at this site everyday ,and pray for sweet Claire. I have a beautiful 14 year old girl who does the same .Both of us are so happy you chose to let Claire be here to teach us all how special each life is .
I was ,and still am ,a single mom .So many people tried to convince me it would "be ok " to have an abortion .Now my child stands before her peers and teaches them what "could be".
God gave us beautiful Claire to make this world better .You and all of us are so blessed.
What an incredible soul in such a little body.
At 8:48 AM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
AMEN!! I have seen what abortion can do to mothers, fathers, and families. I have seen the devastation it causes. I have never met a person that did not regret having an abortion. I can't imagine God giving me a gift and me turning Him down. God has a purpose for us all. And what a blessing Claire has been to so many, so far in her 14 days. I only know Claire through this blog and I praise God that she is here! I will continue to lift you up before our Father.
WOW!! Fourteen days, Claire! YOU GO GIRL!
At 9:04 AM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Billy and Tammy,
For those of us who have the privilage of knowing you both, we are not at all suprised at your decision; in fact, we would have been shocked had you not followed your core belief. As most all of the comments have said, GOD sent Claire to you - for the both of you and I truely beleave even more so for the rest of us. We will never know how many lives she has touched, but as for me, I am certainly a better person because of her. I have always appreciated life and the blessings I have been given; however, I am now more aware of just how precious EVERY moment with friends and family truely is and that all those so called problems really aren't as bad as they seem. THANK YOU both for the faith, love, courage and "HOPE" you have shared. Through the both of you, through Claire, GOD has shown that HE does indeed work miricles.
Thank You and may GOD continue to bless you and guide you on your journey with your angle.
At 10:11 AM, October 19, 2006,
Kim said…
Praise God! Thank you for sharing your heart and honesty on this. Little Claire is such a blessing from God. Have you seen this blog?
www.renovatingthisheart.blogspot.com? There is a video on there that should be Claire and you alls theme song. The Rocking Song. Just go to this blog and scroll down to the video,click play. The babies you will not know,but I thought how secial the song was and it may encourage you today. Just rock that baby and thank God for each day. I will be praying for you.
Kim
At 10:23 AM, October 19, 2006,
Kim said…
Scoll down on that blog to September 17. It is a ways down.
Kim
At 11:01 AM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Why pass this judgement on other people like this? Do you know that there are people reading this and praying for you and your baby who have HAD an abortion? And it was the right decision for them at that time. Having Claire was the right decision for you, but don't call other people selfish for having a safe, legal procedure done to terminate a pregnancy that was not meant to be (and do not presume to say that YOU know what was meant to be in another's life). Don't speak for God. Praise God for the miracles He has performed in your lives and in the lives of your family. Don't use this beautiful website as a pedestal to preach from. Let others form their own opinions on the issue of abortion. Personally, I am offended by the last entry.
At 4:38 PM, October 19, 2006,
Lisa (Myers) Hartsfield said…
I just checked in on the cowboy man Eliot and thought I would check to see how precious Claire is doing. Looks like she is holding her own!! Bath pictures are sooooo adorable! She was styling in her pink fur blanket and now she bathes in a necklace=) Too cute! I have boys so I admire from afar.
I just want to say also that this is YOUR site for YOUR child and please continue to say whatever YOU feel led to say! I am so sorry that the previous anonymous blogger complained of you judging other people, yet turned around and judged you. You owe noone any explaination for anything. There are very few who have actually walked in your shoes, and I turely admire you and your ability to cope daily with your special gift from God. God knows who to give these miracles to based on who he knows can handle them =)
Much prayer still coming from Texas
Lisa Hartsfield
At 6:26 PM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Billy ,
I was reading all of the beautiful things you wrote about "life " ,and I came to an angry email written from someone who did not understand .Anyone who knows you or Tammy ,knows that you are the most non judgemental people around .
Those of us who believe that all souls have a purpose want to share that news with others . It is not to condemn .It comes from the heart .
Just for the record , God has the same opinion that you do .It is his commandment...And he forgives those who do not understand .
I thank you ,and Claire thanks you for understanding ,and for being brave enough to express your feelings .
At 8:28 PM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for sharing your story with
us. Thank you for sharing Claire with all of us. I don't think any of us really know what we would do in certain situations until we are actually faced with them, although we would like to believe we know. As I said before your family, your faith, and especially little Claire have all been such an inspiration to me and to so many others. She has taught so many people so much in her two weeks, and I believe your faith has been used to teach many people as well.
Love and Prayers to your family and Thank You again,
Kym Little
At 9:06 PM, October 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Billy, speak for what you believe in this is YOUR blog site. Say whatever you want to say. For the people who reply negatively obviousl what you are saying is touching a nerve. You guys are amazing and I now know how lucky Tammy is to have you in her life. (Although you are just as lucky).
Claire is beautiful and she is lucky to have the most amazing parents. God is wonderful!!
Tracey Meacham Gann
At 8:07 AM, October 20, 2006,
nomo wino daph said…
Billy & Tammy,
I just wanted to let you all know that we are praying and thinking of you all daily. Baylor and Brantley Anne LOVE to see the pics of Claire.
May God continue to give you strength. God chose to give Claire to you both, he knew what a difference you two could make! I am amazed each time I read a post that you have written. You both have such an amazing faith! Praise God for you and your family!
BIG {{{HUGS}}} to you all from Orange Beach from the Jerkins Family!
At 9:27 AM, October 20, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Good morning GOD, thank YOU for showing us "Hope".
Good morning Hope, thank you for showing us GOD.
Good morning Tammy, thank you for showing us wisdom.
Good morning Billy, thank you for showing us courage.
David, Lee Anne and KIds
At 10:33 AM, October 20, 2006,
Anonymous said…
I would love to respond to the irate post, but I don't believe you want to use this site that way, so I won't. What I will say is this, this is YOUR site to use however you want...and I think you're doing a wonderful job testifying and ministering to so many of us. Everyone has their own opinion on that matter, and everyone must make and live with their own decisions. At the end of our days, we will all stand before the same forgiving God.
You guys and Claire are such an inspiration and a beautiful example of God's goodness. Thank you for sharing your little angel with all of us who only know you through this site. God bless you!
At 10:12 PM, October 31, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Your family, your example, has been such an inspiration to me. You've opened my eyes to the glorious possibilities and little daily gifts, no matter the timeframe. There are no warranties, guarantees, or forevers. No promised rose gardens in this world. But the love and joy is there to be had if one is open to love unconditional. Thank you for sharing the gentle and pure love that runs through your family.
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