'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 visualise 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, Matthew.
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter.
Patron saint, Cecelia.
"Rudledge, Carrie, twins.
Patron saint… give her Gerard, He's used to profanity."
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 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 wear 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 his own 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 who is less than perfect. She doesn't
realise 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 know it! When she
describes a tree or sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people
ever see my creations."
"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 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."
Written by
Erma Bombeck
Special People with Special Needs
