At Mass this past Sunday, with January 22 coming up, our Priest touched on the abortion issue at Mass. He stated that we should make a special penance on that day, which sounds like a good idea. Right after the homily, we stood for the Creed. As we started, my little one (he's six, but he's still my little one), slipped his fingers into my hand. I turned and looked at him and he gave me the sweetest little smile - the one all of us parents see from time to time, that kind that can make your heart break into a million tiny pieces. As I turned back to finish the Creed, my mind drifted as I held his little fingers. I thought back to the homily. I thought of all the little hands never held, all the smiles missed, all the joy missed out on over these last 36 years that we've had legalized abortion in this country. As so often happens, I drew a mental picture. It may not be very original. It may not even be very good. Hopefully it conveys what I saw.