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Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure, 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 instrument for propagation with great care and deliberation.
As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, a son - patron angel, Theresa.
Matt Forrest, Marjorie, a daughter - patron angel, Cecilia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins - patron angel ... give her Gerard. He is 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", 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 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 will handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is
so rare and necessary in a mother. 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 will never survive. Yes, there 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 know it. When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as
few people will ever see my creations. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see ... ignorance, cruelty and 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?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice".
by Erma Bombeck
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