Suz
(the future) MRS. GERE
This hasn't been posted for awhile and I can hear everyone's exhaustion as you face the same issues over and over again. It is our PE parents who have always inspired me the most.
The terminology might be a bit dated but the sentiment never gets old:
God Chooses Mom for Disabled Child
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 take notes in a giant ledger.
Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron Saint, Cecelia.
Rudledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint? Give her Gerard. Hes 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? Shes so happy.
Exactly, smiles God. Could I give a handicapped child a mother 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 wears off, shell handle it. I watched her today. She has the feeling of self and independence. Shell have to teach the child to live in her world and thats not going to be easy.
But, Lord, I dont 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 cant separate herself from the child occasionally, shell never survive. Yes, there is a woman 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 Mama for the first time, she will be present at 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? asked the angel, his pen poised in midair.
God smiles.
A mirror will suffice.
Now I want each and every one of you to go look in a mirror and acknowledge and celebrate your strength, courage, and resilience. You have very lucky children.
XXX
Suz
The terminology might be a bit dated but the sentiment never gets old:
God Chooses Mom for Disabled Child
By Erma Bombeck
September 4, 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 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 take notes in a giant ledger.
Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron Saint, Cecelia.
Rudledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint? Give her Gerard. Hes 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? Shes so happy.
Exactly, smiles God. Could I give a handicapped child a mother 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 wears off, shell handle it. I watched her today. She has the feeling of self and independence. Shell have to teach the child to live in her world and thats not going to be easy.
But, Lord, I dont 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 cant separate herself from the child occasionally, shell never survive. Yes, there is a woman 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 Mama for the first time, she will be present at 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? asked the angel, his pen poised in midair.
God smiles.
A mirror will suffice.
Now I want each and every one of you to go look in a mirror and acknowledge and celebrate your strength, courage, and resilience. You have very lucky children.
XXX
Suz
