Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice,
a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.
Did you ever wonder how these mothers 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 take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia."
"Rutledge, 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 knows no laughter?
That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll 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 so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of it's own.
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 seperate herself from the child occassionally, she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know 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.
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 the air. God smiles.
"A mirror will suffice."
A SPECIAL MOTHER
MICHAEL'S MOTHER...LILLIE QUALLS~1973
A Tribute to my Sister Lillie...she is the first born daughter of nine siblings. She has always been like our second MOM. When she was a teenager she gave her heart to the Lord and has always raised her children in church and to love the Lord. She has five children, with Michael being her third child and first son. The experience of having a handicap child, she would be the first to tell you how enriched her life has been because of "Michael". He was a very SPECIAL child, not just because he was handicapped, but the person that he was. He was truly a Mama's boy...He loved her so much. It wasn't easy...knowing that his life would be cut short. Her faith in the promise of the Resurrection and knowing that she will see him again, and this time in a perfect body has been a constant strength that is renewed day by day. She is looking to see him just any day now...that's a PROMISE!
As I watched my Sis go through this to the end...I witnessed that she didn't go alone. God was with her every step, you could see HIM in the glow of Lillie's face. If I didn't know better, I would think that Erma Bombeck wrote this poem for my SIS LILLIE. This is a real testimony of God's promises and faithfulness.....I will never leave you nor forsake you, Lo, I am with you always..and I won't put more on you than you can bear!
My Sis Lillie you're a real Special Mother, a Christian Sister, my second MOM and my very special friend...I thank the Lord for the example you have always been...Wanda
MAGICAL MEMORIES FOR MY CHILD
Let me always remember the moment..
That wonderful, magical moment you were born.
Let me remember the tears of joy,
The sheer relief, the awesome miracle...
Let me always remember the moment,
That one perfect memory that will live forever in my heart..
The wonderful, magical moment that you were born.
~author unknown
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