These Mothers Share Special Gifts

I thought I had posted this before, but can't find it. Please know that I know I'm not a saint. I struggle and fail on nearly a daily basis. My child's obstacles and difficulties are so far less than so many children. Also, I don't really see my daughter as "handicapped" though most people would, especially when they hear about the syndrome and the things she's already been through, at the precious age of 1. To me, and in reality, she is the sweetest, most precious perfect child who happens to have a thicker tongue, large abdominal organs and one leg and arm longer and thicker than the other.

Someone sent this to me last year, when I was struggling and wondering how on earth I would do all that Abbie needs me to do. I hope this touches your heart as it has mine.

Above all, please share it with a mother or father of a special/medical needs child.

THESE MOMS SHARE SPECIAL GIFTS
by Erma Bombeck

(published without permission...hope she doesn't mind)

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,' says 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. 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 his own world. She has to make him live in her world, and that's not going to be easy.'

'But, Lord, I don't think that 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 midair.

God smiles, 'A mirror will suffice.'

Politics, schmolotics

Following are commentary about political news stories I found while checking my Yahoo email.

**********

Ok, am I the only person who is puzzled about why presidential candidates seek the "endorsements" of celebrities and high-profile people and families?

Who gives a rip if the Kennedys support Obama? And now, he's chosen Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg to be part of a team to choose his Vice Presidential running mate. Really? Do the Kennedys hold that much influence in the 21st century? While I understand that in the 60's, America was in love with the fairy tale that portrayed the Kennedy family in all their "Camelot" glory, we now know that JFK was a womanizer and unfaithful to his wife** and that there were many missteps in his presidency. I had been fascinated with that presidency and the assassination for a long time, but now, I think it's time to let the past be the past.

Also, consider this: If Obama wants his candidacy and presidency to be all about "change," why is he looking to the past, by way of the Kennedys, for guidance? Interesting, don't you think?

**********

Let's be honest. The only reason Obama would consider having Hillary Clinton be his running mate is because he doesn't want to lose the voters she garnered, all demographics in which he lacks support considerably. Also, there has been a lot of chit-chat in the blogosphere about Clinton backers saying they will vote for McCain before they cast a ballot for Obama. So maybe it would be prudent for Obama to ask Hill along for the ride, if for nothing else than to keep the support she has all in the name of "party unity" for the Democrats.

I, for one, wholeheartedly agree with this Yahoo story about a proposed Obama-Clinton ticket being a possible nightmare. Very telling, I think, are Michelle Obama's and Samantha Powers' remarks highlighted in this story. ***

**********

It goes without saying, but during your presidential candidacy is not the time to have a close friend and fundraiser be convicted of fraud. ****


**Not that presidents being unfaithful is exclusive to Kennedy or any political party. To me, it is a reflection of character.

***Also, obviously there will be animosity between rivals... when does it cross a line? Attacking one's stance on policy is one thing, but is name-calling and saying you want to rip someone's eyes out really necessary?

****So this isn't new in the world of politics, either. But this and the Rev. Wright thing coming to light in a relatively short period makes me wonder about Obama's associations. Of course, I'm not too thrilled about those of most other politicians, either. I'm just sayin'....