Special Mothers

THE SPECIAL MOTHER
Written by Erma Bombeck Published in the Today Newspaper Sept. 4th, 1993



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 disabled children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled 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."

"Forest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron saint, Cecilia."

"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron saintÂ…give her Gerald. He's used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a disabled child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have 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 sense of self and independence that are so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make it 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 witness to 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 mid-air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."



I have meet the most incredibleble Mothers on line going through the same things I am. Last night after the kids were in bed I ran across this poem and wanted to share it with everyone that reads my blog.

I felt better after reading this. I know there are going to be lots of rough and sad days and thank you to everyone that listens to me ( all my friends not just the new ones), you know what we are all going to be ok and our kids are so lucky to have us. I love and admire all of you.