Back in the spring of 2012, when approached with a proposal to write a book that would involve telling someone’s story of conversion, I couldn’t have known all that God would have in mind for me by saying “yes.”
Now, at the close of 2015, I am seeing it, and have experienced it all the more this past week when the subject of the book, Ramona Trevino, had a chance to travel to Fargo, the place of my current grounding and living, to glimpse our city and share her beautiful soul with our receptive community at an event called Cupcakes for Life.
Photo: Lee Hoedl
Photo: Lee Hoedl
The event takes place annually to raise funds for our students to take part in the March for Life in D.C. in January. Our first guest speaker years ago was 40 Days for Life founder David Bereit. Last year, we had Father Frank Provone, president of Priests for Life. This year, Ramona!
Having Ramona fly here from Texas also meant meeting my goddaughter, Ramiah, for the first time; the little girl who was growing in the womb of her mother even as we were sorting out final details and adding finishing touches to the book, Redeemed by Grace. Her arrival happened the same month as the book’s delivery, in Feb. 2015.
This week, my family got to meet hers, and it was a blessed and beautiful convergence.
The planning committee for the Cupcakes for Life event met Tuesday morning for a goodbye brunch that involved strawberry and banana French toast, bacon and a few prolife babes crawling and toddling at our knees.
The conversation was invigorating, and made the visit complete somehow. It ended with a blessing by our chaplain.
A very talented friend from our Catholic schools network captured part of that evening on video. I didn’t know he was doing this, but it will be something we will treasure for a very long time. Thank you, Lee Hoedl, for using your talents to hold the memory of this night in time, so that we won’t forget the gift of it. Cups for Life recap…
Finally, a tribute to the man who gave me life, and who was always happy to hear of another pregnancy in his Salonen branch of the family. I know that he was with us Monday night, and also, today as we celebrate those who have sacrificed and served our beautiful country.
God Bless America, and All.