Ode to Special Moms

I was sent this in an email today. It has been sent to me so many times over the past 6 years and I just wanted to share it. I am not sure if any special needs moms read this blog, but if so I hope you find it as comforting to you as it has been to me. When I read this I feel such a since of pride. It makes me wonder what exactly God saw in me to give me my wonderful gift. I always say that is one of the first questions I will have for him when I get to heaven:) Isaac is so blessed, 100's on both of his tests today!!!! I am busting with pride. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord, you are so good!!!!

Ode to Special Moms:

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by socialpressures 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 forpropagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructshis angels to make notes in a giant ledger."Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter,patron saint, Cecilia."Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He's used toprofanity."Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicappedchild."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 doesnot 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 ofself-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'llhandle it."I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that isso rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to giveher has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that's notgoing 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 justenough 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 childless 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 willbe present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunsetto 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 neverbe 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, pen poised midair.God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."-

Erma Bombeck, May, 1980

Ps. That is the month and year I was born, I think that is so cool!