Crucifix

Years ago, a well-regarded Delaware pediatrician gave Rev. Dr. Marlene Louise Walters a treasured family crucifix that had been handed down to him. She could not recall where their paths had crossed, and he died soon after their meeting. This memoir follows her effort to learn why a man she barely knew would entrust her with such an object.

Her search spans many years of personal experiences and pulls her away from a settled, domestic life. The path she follows begins with debates over abortion for children with disabilities and ends with the question of whether doctors should assist patients in taking their own lives.

Along the way, the author moves through many different places and confronts a range of ethical disputes. She starts support groups, encourages families struggling with grief, and finds agape love in unexpected settings.