All life is precious. All life is special and everyone is unique. We were made in God’s image, and that means something. Nobody should feel alone or unwanted. No one should feel less than another. We are all interconnected, and we can make a difference in people’s lives. We are God’s beautiful creations and we should be valued and loved.

Pope Francis travels throughout the world spreading the word that all life is sacred. Whether a person is sick, weak, poor, unborn or old, we must respect life. I am taught in my home, my school, and my church that “we shall not kill”; we should practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and that we should have compassion for others. Why is it then that destroying a life should be an option? Why destroy the soul, mind and body that God wants to develop?

This idea that each of us is a beautiful creation rings especially true in my house. When my little brother, Johnny, was developing inside my mother, the doctors saw that he was very sick and he wasn’t growing well. One doctor had suggested to my mother that she think about abortion as an option since the road ahead for him would be hard and difficult for everyone. My parents, who believe all life is precious and a gift, said no. Six years later, my brother is here with us laughing and enjoying life. He has autism, a bunch of food allergies, something wrong with his stomach and just recently, his spine. That doesn’t stop him from bringing joy to everyone he meets. He has a special glow about him. Don’t get me wrong, things can be hard and there is a lot of stress having him around from time to time, but he is so innocent. He is special and his is loved.

Each one of us is blessed with God-given gifts and talents. Why are the unborn not able to discover what theirs will be? Who are we to take away that gift of life God wants on the Earth?  Even though the life may not be what the parents thought it would be, is it right to destroy that soul? I don’t think so. I see my brother and think, “What if he was aborted?” I would never know his sweetness. I would never know his wonderful giggle or how he loves music and singing. I see Johnny as a little angel himself – never knowing meanness or cruelty.

Each of us IS God’s masterpiece. How awesome is He that He can make such complex creatures and then give us free will? I pray for the poor, the sick, the weak, the old and the unborn, and I will keep praying for them. All life is precious. I know. I hug my brother every day and thank God for him too.