From A San Francisco Sidewalk ~ April, 2007
Lots of rain on this February day. I got pretty soaked early in the morning even with an umbrella, but then it became on and off showers, typical weather for this time of year in San Francisco. I arrived at the abortion mill early, armed with literature on prenatal development, referral lists and our life exhibit. I was there early enough to catch some local high school students and to offer them "Love Matters" newsletters, abstinence candy and Pro-life coloring books for their little brothers and sisters. They were very receptive; most agreeing that abortion is a terrible thing to do to a tiny baby. Then, almost like clockwork, the abortion mill staff arrived. About a half hour later two deathscorts were stationed in front of the door to the mill. My fellow prayer partners and counselors arrived and there were six of us stationed near the mill in prayer. I managed to give out a few literature packets to some of the men and women going in but was not able to engage anyone in conversation about saving their baby. It was a very busy morning for the baby killers.
About two hours into our morning a couple approached the door. The woman took literature from me but they both went into the mill. A short while later the young man came out. He went over to the parking lot and was standing by his car. I went over to him and asked if I could speak to him. He agreed and I handed him some literature. I encouraged him to go up to the mill and speak to the young lady that he was with. He looked over some of the literature and said that he would go up and try and talk to her but first he was going to have a cigarette. I encouraged him to skip the cigarette since it was bad for his health and even worse for the baby since if he did not intervene now then it may be too late. He put the cigarette out and we started to walk over to the entrance. We were about ten feet from the door when the woman came out. She told us that she had changed her mind. She seemed so happy when I told her that he was just about to enter the mill to try and save their baby. She said that she was twelve weeks along. She also said that she was sitting in the waiting room and that someone from the clinic staff had come out and grabbed the literature that I had given her away from her as she was looking at it. I gave her some extra literature as well as a 12-week model of an unborn baby. I also handed her a Rosary and a pin with a medal of Our Blessed Mother. What started out as just another rainy day in San Francisco became a day of great rejoicing for this victory in life. Thank you God for giving courage and grace to this couple who chose life over death for their precious little one.
Nora A. Dougherty
frontlinesf@aol.com
San Francisco, CA
