For Special Moms

I know, I know... ALL moms are special, just like all kids are special.  But still...

As we're coming up on Mother's Day, I'm going to share a couple of columns by one of my all-time favorite writers, Erma Bombeck.  She had such a wonderful way of giving voice to everything us moms are going through, while simultaneously reminding us of the grace and humor to be found in the mundane.  I live in Claremore, Oklahoma -- hometown of Will Rogers, and now that I think of it,  Erma totally reminds me of Will.  In my heaven?  Erma Bombeck and Will Rogers definitely hang out.

Anyway, for reasons that will be obvious to you, this is one of my newly-discovered favorites (thanks to Keri, of Life of Logan)...

Mothers of Disabled Children (May 11, 1980)

    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 these 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.  Forest, 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 blind child."
    The angel is curious.  "Why this one, God?  She's so happy."
    "Exactly," say God.  "Could I give a child with a handicap to 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."
    "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 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 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, pen poised in mid-air.
    God smiles.  "A mirror will suffice."

(transcribed from Forever, Erma by Erma Bombeck)

Comments

[broni]

Wow, I remember that particular column. I cut it out at the time and and it's still in my Bible. Erma was one of my favorites and I miss her.

[Jody Morrow]

Awww, Carole. That gave me goosebumps and made me cry! You ARE a special Mom! HUGS and Happy Mother's Day! :)

[Laura (scrapnextras)]

Happy Mother's Day Carole! Go look in the mirror now.

[Martha]

Thank you Carole! This is a wonderful piece which I have already passed on to some moms who this story describes perfectly.
Happy Mother's Day to you.

[Jessie/knightrone]

That is EXACTLY why he picked you!! You are amazing!!

[theresa forge]

thank you so much for this wonderful post. As the mom of a daughter with Down Syndrome, this made me cry "happy tears" as she likes to call them. Thanks and God bless!

[Bonnie Sharp]

Did you not BAWL at the top of your lungs when you read this??! I surely did.....My daughter is a TRIAL (yes, capital letters!) everyday, but when I dare to think that I was chosen?.....my heart softens.....prayer is more than powerful....still, sometimes I just have to give it up to Him. Does this make any sense?