Re: Anyway, if anyone has some inspirations they think would be appropriate to

[Guest guest]

Bree:

Your message about " inspirations " reminded me of something someone sent

me when I was about 25 weeks pregnant with Hannah, and had just gotten

the results of the amnio back and seen a cardiologist who diagnosed her

heart defect. We weren't necessarily devastated but stunned to say the

least. Someone sent me this inspiration:

A Story contributed by Erma Bombeck

Branson was in the hospital for 15 days after his birth, of course I was

upset because he was sick and had Down

Syndrome. One of his NICU nurses gave me this article during that time

and I will always treasure it.

This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped

children. Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his

instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he

observes, he instructs his angel to make notes in a giant ledger.

" Armstrong,Beth,son,patron saint,. "

" ,Marge,daughter,patron saint,Cecillia. "

" Rutledge,,twins,patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to

profanity. "

Finally he passes a name to the angel and smiles, " Give her a

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

happy. " " Exactly, " says 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 to

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

necessary in a mother. The child I am 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 who I 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!

" I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...cruelty, ignorance,

prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I

will be at her side every minute of every day, because she is doing my

work as surely as if she were here by my side. "

" And what about her patron saint? " asks the angel, pen poised in

midair. "

God smiles, " A mirror will suffice. "

This was probably the one thing I read out of all the research on MDS

that I did in the beginning that made me realize that what I was about

to embark on with the birth of Hannah was not only attainable but would

make me a stronger, more faithful, more courageous, and much more

understanding and patient person. Being " chosen " is a very special task

that we have been given and not a day goes by now that I don't think

about how lucky I am to have Hannah, and how I wouldn't change anything!

Hope this helps fulfill your need for " inspirations " !

Thanks for this list, and take care!

Cheryl

Mother to Hannah, 6 mos, (whoo-where does the time go), Rob, 23, and

Lyndsay, almost 20

[Guest guest]

Yes Cheryl (and ).....this is the one I am looking for!!! Thank you

so much! I love this one soooooo very much!!! How is that precious little

angel doing anyway?

-is this the one you're talking about?

If anyone has any more.......please send them!

Bree

Mommy to (7 mos., mds) and 3 siblings

MosaicDS Listowner

National MDS List Facilitator

http://www.mosaicdownsyndrome.com

http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb778401 (MDS Message Board)

Re: Anyway, if anyone has some inspirations they think

would be appropriate to

Bree:

Your message about " inspirations " reminded me of something someone sent

me when I was about 25 weeks pregnant with Hannah, and had just gotten

the results of the amnio back and seen a cardiologist who diagnosed her

heart defect. We weren't necessarily devastated but stunned to say the

least. Someone sent me this inspiration:

A Story contributed by Erma Bombeck

Branson was in the hospital for 15 days after his birth, of course I was

upset because he was sick and had Down

Syndrome. One of his NICU nurses gave me this article during that time

and I will always treasure it.

This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped

children. Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his

instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he

observes, he instructs his angel to make notes in a giant ledger.

" Armstrong,Beth,son,patron saint,. "

" ,Marge,daughter,patron saint,Cecillia. "

" Rutledge,,twins,patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to

profanity. "

Finally he passes a name to the angel and smiles, " Give her a

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

happy. " " Exactly, " says 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 to

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

necessary in a mother. The child I am 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 who I 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!

" I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...cruelty, ignorance,

prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I

will be at her side every minute of every day, because she is doing my

work as surely as if she were here by my side. "

" And what about her patron saint? " asks the angel, pen poised in

midair. "

God smiles, " A mirror will suffice. "

This was probably the one thing I read out of all the research on MDS

that I did in the beginning that made me realize that what I was about

to embark on with the birth of Hannah was not only attainable but would

make me a stronger, more faithful, more courageous, and much more

understanding and patient person. Being " chosen " is a very special task

that we have been given and not a day goes by now that I don't think

about how lucky I am to have Hannah, and how I wouldn't change anything!

Hope this helps fulfill your need for " inspirations " !

Thanks for this list, and take care!

Cheryl

Mother to Hannah, 6 mos, (whoo-where does the time go), Rob, 23, and

Lyndsay, almost 20

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http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb778401