God Chooses A Mom for A Disabled Child 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, 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 wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independance. She'll have to teach the child to 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 seperate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then 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 know it! When she describes a tree or a 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 midair.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."
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, 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 wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independance. She'll have to teach the child to 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 seperate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then 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 know it! When she describes a tree or a 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 midair.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."
Before I Go To Sleep…
Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy don't you weep.
I want to whisper something before I go to sleep.
I know that when I came here I looked perfect in every way.
And you were so proud, Daddy; when you held me on that day.
And Mommy, when you kissed me and wrapped me up so tight,
I knew that I belonged here and everything was right.
But then I stopped talking and began to slip away,
I saw your worried faces as you knelt by me to pray.
And Daddy, I always notice how you wipe away a tear,
When you watch the other children as they run and laugh and cheer.
I may not be able to tell you how much I love you so,
Or even show you how I feel and what I really know.
But when you hold me, Mommy, at night when all is still,
I feel the love you have for me and I know that all is well.
And Daddy, when you take me to the park to run and play
I know that you still love me thought the words I cannot say.
I want to tell you something before I go to sleep.
I may be sort of distant and you may not understand,
I know that I am not that little child that you and Daddy planned.
But I love you both so very much and I know you love me too,
And if I could only speak my heart, you would feel my love for you.
I know the future is unknown and you will always have to be,
The ones who love and listen and take good care of me.
I know that you are frightened and you shed so many tears,
And if I could I'd wipe them dry and take away your fears.
So Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy please don't weep.
I want to say…I love you both, before I go to sleep.
Written by Sally Meyer 2000
Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy don't you weep.
I want to whisper something before I go to sleep.
I know that when I came here I looked perfect in every way.
And you were so proud, Daddy; when you held me on that day.
And Mommy, when you kissed me and wrapped me up so tight,
I knew that I belonged here and everything was right.
But then I stopped talking and began to slip away,
I saw your worried faces as you knelt by me to pray.
And Daddy, I always notice how you wipe away a tear,
When you watch the other children as they run and laugh and cheer.
I may not be able to tell you how much I love you so,
Or even show you how I feel and what I really know.
But when you hold me, Mommy, at night when all is still,
I feel the love you have for me and I know that all is well.
And Daddy, when you take me to the park to run and play
I know that you still love me thought the words I cannot say.
I want to tell you something before I go to sleep.
I may be sort of distant and you may not understand,
I know that I am not that little child that you and Daddy planned.
But I love you both so very much and I know you love me too,
And if I could only speak my heart, you would feel my love for you.
I know the future is unknown and you will always have to be,
The ones who love and listen and take good care of me.
I know that you are frightened and you shed so many tears,
And if I could I'd wipe them dry and take away your fears.
So Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy please don't weep.
I want to say…I love you both, before I go to sleep.
Written by Sally Meyer 2000