Here is an unusual event--rare, and therefore precious. The NZ Herald has carried a report on Jolene Patuawa-Tuilave, a mother who sacrificed her life for her unborn child. In our view, Jolene was a heroine, worthy of the highest honours men can bestow in this life.
Jolene has now passed from the sight of mortal men. She leaves behind her baby son Lui, just 10 weeks old when she died. She also left behind husband Rob and step-daughter Vitolia, 6. When Jolene was expecting, breast cancer struck her again. She refused treatment on the grounds that it would threaten the life of her yet-to-be-born baby. Her doctors had told her that she needed treatment to survive, but that they could not treat her if she was pregnant. Implication: abort the child and save your own life.
"Basically what it came down to was she had a choice, baby or life. She chose the baby," said colleague and friend Spencer Webster.
We could speak of her courage, her love, her commitment to her child. All would be true. But above all she has showed us the essence of what it means to be a mother--a true mother. She literally laid down her life for her child. For that, she deserves the highest, albeit posthumous, award that we could bestow.
We know that her sacrifice will be treated as an embarrassment in some quarters. Because of that we also acknowledge that she will likely not be publicly honoured as she should. But we honour her. Our thoughts are with her husband and family and especially young Lui. Your mother has set you a pathway. As you grow, honour her by walking along it.
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