Most women become mothers by accident, by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.
This year, nearly 100,000 women will become a mother of a handicapped child. Did you ever wonder how a mother of a handicapped child was 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 noles in a giant ledger.
"Beth Armstrong, son, patron saint, Matthew. Margie Forrest, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia," says God.
He continues with, " Carrie Rudledge, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He 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 is so happy."
"Exactly," says God. " Could I give a handicapped child to amother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I dont 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 will handle it.
" I watched her today," said God, " 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 his own world and she has to make it live in her world. That is not going to be easy."
"but, Lord, I dont even think she believes in you," says the angel.
God smiles and says, " 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 will never survive. yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesnt 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 describs a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations."
" I will permitt 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?" asked the angel, pen poised in midair.
God smile and says," A mirror will suffice!"
- Erma Bombeck