By Carol Walker
Last week as we felt the press of the masses on the roads and on Main Street, I couldn’t help but think they were more than a crowd of bikers. Each one was and is an individual, someone of value, unique among all other people. If they could each tell their story, it would likely be a kaleidoscope of joy and sorrow, triumph and despair, much like the rest of us.
I recently read two of a three-book autobiography of David Pelzer, a man who defied all odds, not only surviving a terrible childhood, but thriving later in life. I am just beginning to read book three, but I sneaked a peek at the end. He makes it. Personally he establishes a home and family, and as a speaker and author he goes on to inspire hope in countless others.
Pelzer, who grew up in California, was the victim of horrendous abuse by his mother. In fact, his is the second worst case in California records, at least at the time of the writing of his book entitled, “A Child Called It.” As the abuse worsened, he was no longer even referred to by name, but only as “it.” The abuser attempted to totally devalue his life, but in the end, he triumphed and understood the value of even one life.
In the first book, he details his abuse and eventual removal from his home and in the sequel, “The Lost Boy,” he goes on to describe his life in foster care. The last book, “A Man Named Dave,” describes his journey into adulthood.
I fear that in this world of hurry and convenience, we, too, are in danger of underestimating the value of an individual, particularly the people whom we ought to hold close.
There is value in life from the moment a child is created in the innermost being of a mother to the day a person draws his final breath. From an unborn child with tiny, fragile body parts to an elder with wrinkled, weathered skin stretched over a frail body — all have value. The youngest one is totally dependent on the care given by someone who understands life, while the other looks back and remembers the days that were ordained for him or her.
My heart is heavy with the reports I hear of unborn baby body parts being sold, even if it is for research that may find a cure for some disease. Pulling apart a child from the protection of the womb says something about the direction our culture of convenience has gone.
In the case of Pelzer, he felt he lost his value as a child ,but others came into his life and loved him, not perfectly, but with their help he began to regain a sense of who he was meant to be.
Bikers, abused children, unborn children or people just like you and me, all have value and much of that value comes from relationship — whether it be between people or with God Himself.
Our community is hurting from the loss of one of our own, Jim Peterson, a person of value and our hearts go out to his family.