HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
I read this at Circle of Moms and thought that this beautiful story should be read by every mother of a child with special needs. It's a wonderful piece written by Erma Bombeck. You may need a kleenex or if you can get highly emotional like me, a super absorbent chamois may be better. Some of you may have already read this, but I'm sure it won't hurt to read it again. I've also added the story to my "Hot Chocolate for the Soul" list on my sidebar.
The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."
3 comments:
Nice blog! I think every blogger loves to be added to blogrolls! LOL! (I don't have a blog roll, as I don't want to feel I have endorsed someone that I might later disagree with!
Unfortunately I do not have time to follow many blogs (my husband is ill and basically can not do anything around the house), but if you ever write anything you think is outstanding, or want an opinion on something, please do leave me a comment and I will (without promising) pop over. Thanks for stopping by!
How beautiful. My sister and I both have children with special needs and my grandmother once insinuated to my mother that there must be something "wrong" with us. I simply told my mother we were "chosen" because God knew we would love and care for them. I am going to send this to her, thanks for sharing it!
Thank you. That was beautiful.
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