In Loving Memory

Dr. George Tiller

August 08, 1941 - May 31, 2009
Wichita, Kansas

I am dedicating this post to a wonderful man who never got the support he deserved in his lifetime. Dr. George Tiller, was gunned down in his own church Sunday morning. He was my doctor once and I am not ashamed to say so. I do recall driving at least a half a dozen women to his clinic over the years. Dr. Tiller stood up for my rights and took the heat for those of us who were too afraid to stand up for ourselves. I remember watching the people stand out there and protest, never once did I or any other woman who used Dr. Tiller ever stand up and be a voice for him.
I had a wonderful weekend with my family and then I came home and read the terrible news. I remember there was a get together in Topeka this past weekend that prompted people to put giant banners on their homes that read "god hates america". It is so very sad to see the cycle of hate being taught to our children. This is such a very volatile topic and I am still going to voice what I need to share on this blog. If I receive any negative feedback I will simply delete the comments. That is the power of blogging. I cannot go into a meeting here in town and discuss my issues on this topic because there are just so many open minded people here in Wichita, where they gunned a man down in church, that I don't feel safe. There are "friends" I don't feel safe talking to about it either. I talked to my sponsor, I cried to her actually, I just don't understand why you would kill a doctor. Don't you see it was not him who wanted the service done, it was me, and every other woman who CHOSE to use his clinic of our own free will. His services made it so I may have the beautiful children I have today. People called him an animal and compared him to Hitler calling him a mass murderer. He never chose to have this procedure done, he has 4 children and 10 grandchildren. He simply made sure to be there for those of us who needed his services. Why did no one ever get angry with us women who chose to do this? Why did we sit in the shadows and never speak out for him, why were we always afraid to even mention this. We sit here and use this man for his services and let him put himself in mortal danger and do not speak out for our own rights.
My only shame is in not speaking up for Dr. Tiller when he needed me to. If every woman who had his services stood up to the hate mongers, I am not talking about the peaceful protesters I am talking about the people who incite hate and fear, the local terrorists, if we stood up to them we would probably out number them 1000 to 1. Today I am crying because I am sad that women will not be able to find help when they need it. Because of this there will be more babies born addicted to crack, more babies killed at the hands of their mothers who were forced to have children when they were not spiritually ready to have them. But I guess that is better than abortion, to kill your child after it is born. Then you will simply be found insane like Andrea Yates, who chased her babies down one by one and drowned them in the bath tub.
I live in a town as open minded as it comes, with bigots who hate gay and lesbians, hate mexican immigrants and hate womens rights. If people in my town had their way we still wouldn't be able to vote. I hope the Tiller family may find peace knowing Dr. Tiller died fighting for womens rights. Because when it comes right down to it, that is what this is about, a womens right to choose. this country is built on hope and I hope to help end the cycle of discrimination, intolerance, and hate. The only way to do that is to keep an open mind and to see both sides of every debate.
If you don't like this post, please do not leave a comment, it will not be published. This is a memorial to a man who I believe dedicated his life to help women everywhere.
today's thought;“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet.”- Mahatma Gandhi