Nelba Márquez-Greene · @apricotmamiof2
5th Oct 2016 from TwitLonger
On the value and integrity of life- a letter to Mike Pence.
An open letter to Mike Pence from a Newtown mom:
Dear Governor Pence-
Last night during the debate, I heard you talk about your faith. As a Christian woman for almost twenty years, it is a faith we share and has comforted me in my most trying times. And there have been many, many trying times.
My husband and I were high school sweet hearts. After college, we made the decision to give our lives to Jesus Christ and get baptized. We worked really hard. Attended church regularly. Tithed. We suffered two miscarriages and then nearly five years later had our first child. A boy. His name is Isaiah. Twenty two months later, a girl. Her name was Ana Grace Márquez-Greene.
Does her name sound familiar? It should. She was one of the 20 children murdered in Newtown. She should be ten years old now. Her brother should be helping a little sister get through fifth grade. But he can't. Because she is dead.
I invite you to consider that the "value of human life" should not exclude victims of gun violence.
You see, Governor Pence, when you talk about the "value of human life" and "your faith" and ignore victims of gun violence? You ignore twenty Americans a day. And everyone they're connected to. Ana's death alone has caused pain and suffering to hundreds and hundreds of people. I urge you to not ignore the dignity of Ana's life- and those who die like her. Isn't it our shared faith that teaches us that we must not sit idly by in the face of suffering?
Governor Pence, I leave you with one my favorite scripture: Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
It is this very definition of faith that has carried our family out of darkness and convicts us to be passionate about ending this pain for other families- regardless of zip code. There are so many ways to work together. But you must start by not ignoring us.
I hope your faith and belief in the value of life can include victims of gun violence. I know it would for Jesus.
Sincerely,
Nelba Márquez-Greene
Ana and Isaiah's Mom
Founder and Director, @The Ana Grace Project