I held a fetus in my hand. He was our grandson. His name was Owen James. He died during fetal surgery to remove a tumor. The surgical team did everything they could but his tiny heart just gave out.

They brought his little body to us wrapped in a beautiful receiving blanket. I held him. I unwrapped the blanket a bit to look at his amazing body. He had long legs, arms, and, it seemed to me, exceptionally long fingers. Concert pianist perhaps? Certainly capable of a game winning slam dunk!

My tears of sorrow suddenly increased to sobs of horror as I realized that such arms and legs can be torn from the bodies of little boys and girls like Owen, and we shield our hearts from this torture by not talking about it.

It’s the Owens that are being forgotten by both sides of this national debate. Both sides talk about restrictions, too many or too few. Both sides talk about helping the mother. But what about Owen? If you favor killing unborn boys and girls, tell us why and when that’s okay to do so. Does it really help the mother to kill her child? Defend your position by telling us what you think of the Owens.

If you oppose such killing, then talk about it in terms of the Owens. Tells us what happens to these children in a chemical abortion or in a D&C abortion, or in late term abortions. Do you fear persecution, losing votes? Defend your position by telling us what you think of the Owens.

I’m tired of the political banter and well-rehearsed slogans from both sides. Please, somebody talk about our Owen.