Poems:

"A Special Child"
- 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, Matthew.

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

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint... give her Gerard. He's 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's 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 wear 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 am giving her has his own world. 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'll 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 '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?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

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The Meeting!
Heaven's Special Child!
-Author Unknown

A meeting was held quite far from Earth
"It's time again for another birth"
Said the Angels to the Lord above
"This special child will need much love
Her progress may seem slow
Accomplishments she may not show
And she'll require extra care
From folks she meets way down there"

"She may not run, laugh or play
Her thoughts may seem quite far away
In many ways she won't adapt
And she'll be known as handicapped"

"So let's be careful where she's sent
We want her life to be content
Please Lord find the parents who
Will do this special job for you"

"They will not realize it right away
The special role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes a richer, much stronger love"
"Soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from heaven
Their precious gift meek and mild
She is Heaven's Special Child"

    ———————————————————

This was presented as an anniversary gift to us from our family:

A Blessing for Andrew and Lynn,
the Parents of a Special Child
-Margaret Cessna

Because your gift of special life
enriches the universe
with tenderness
with honesty
with grace
You are blessed

Because you have given Ellie Rose
to all of us
this person who
knows no threat
welcomes all
displays unconditional love
finds joy with no limit
You are blessed.

Because you have
nurtured and protected
loved and enjoyed
applauded and encouraged
your name is written
in the heavens
as most special parents
worthy of God's trust
worthy of God's love
deserving of this special child