Happy Mother's Day

[Guest guest]

Happy Mother's Day to all of you special mothers out there!!

Hugs - Pam (Mommy to Demi, Paige, Ty and Tristan)

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not

have a single bit of talent left, and could say, " I used everything you gave me "

- Erma Bombeck

The Special Mother

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...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity. "

" Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia. "

" Rutledge, ; twins. Patron saint, . "

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 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 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 independence that is so

rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has

her own world. She has to make her 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 present at a

miracle, and will 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 if 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. "