A Special Mother 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 a special needs

child.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of these children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments

forpropagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He

instructs. His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to

profanity."

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

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a special

needs child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a special 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 of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears 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'm going to

give her has her own world. She has to make her 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, here 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 not

consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be

present at a miracle, and will 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 if 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."