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Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:21 pm Subject: ERMA BOM-BECK

My son's teacher helped him make me a Mother's Day card and attatched this Erma Bom-beck Short with it, wanted to share. I loved it.

The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck

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 these mothers are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth
Selecting his instruments for pro-pa-gation with great care and de-liberation.
As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia."
"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to pro-fanity."
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 knows no laughter?
That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and re-sentment wear off she'll handle it."
"I watched her today.
She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of it's own.
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, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know 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 witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ig-norance, cruelty,
pre-judice--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 the air. God smiles.
"A mirror will suffice."

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:32 pm Subject:

That is awesome Smile

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:33 pm Subject:

Yes, that brought me to tears on Mother's Day. I had to thank his teacher for that. Then my son wanted me to read it to him? Because I had tears in my eyes, he asked if it was bad to me. LOL

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:35 pm Subject:

Now why did you go and do that? That is so touching....that welled up a few tears...but, good tears. As the mother of a child with Turner's Syndrome and the step-mother of 2 of God's sweetest angels who are mentally retarted....that is really specail...and so very true. TYVM...for sharing that. It helps remind us that it is not a burden, rather, a privelage that God had the confidence in us to do the right things for our children who have specail needs.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:38 pm Subject:

Yes, my oldest is MR and autistic, with several medical conditions, my youngest is deaf with medical issues as well. I feel blessed to have them, and loved this poem. I wouldn't know what to do with a "typical" child. LOL

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:41 pm Subject:

It did make me cry. I never had children of my own but I have four step children. I've come to really love them over the years. The youngest is graduating on Saturday so it's going to be an emotional day.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:43 pm Subject:

Get out the Kleenex! Very Happy

My oldest is graduating middle school and moving onto high school. His graduation is next week. I'm feeling really really old.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:43 pm Subject:

I just read that and it is very touching. Kudos to your son's teacher for finding it.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:57 pm Subject:

what a wonderful poem - thank you for posting it!

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:12 pm Subject:

Erma Bombeck was a very special lady and the world is a lesser place without her. Thanks for sharing, Steelers.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 6:56 am Subject:

From Tsacgiv-

DEAR STEELERS1 I LOVE SO MUCH ERMA BOMBECK BEAUTIFUL
AND TRUTH WORDS AND DIDNT KNOW THESE GREAT WRITER.
THANKS !!!
I REALLY ADMIRE YOU,AMY VERY MUCH BECAUSE YOU ARE A FANTASTIC PERSON.I THINK YOUR CHILDREN ARE FANTASTIC
EITHER.
TELL TOUR BOY THAT I SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM
BECAUSE HE GOES TO MIDDLE SCHOOL.
GOD BLESS YOU STEELERS1 ALWAYS FOR BE ALWAYS A
WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING.
MICHELLE CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR BOY EITHER.
EVERYBODY HAVE A BLESSING HOLIDAY!!!

I split a post of frogpatches from this thread as requested, but accidently took everything under it with it! Sorry!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 6:57 am Subject:

From Tsacgiv-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erma_Bombeck

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 7:31 am Subject:

I LOVE IT!!!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 7:58 am Subject:

Steelers - as you know i had a son who died 10 years ago who fought a very brave battle with a rare illness. It has taken me a while to reply to this post because I have been sobbing - thinking of my boy. I agree with Erma - I think that God has special people in mind for challenging lives. Thank you for posting this and reminding me how lucky I was to have my son.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 8:26 am Subject:

That was a beautiful poem! Steelers, do you mind if I copy it from your post and send it to my Aunt, the one that has the 2 kids with CF? I know with their recent health scare she has often asked herself, why her. I think she would really like.

I do not have kids with special needs, but have had several miscarraiges due to major complications over the years, so it makes me thankful for the 2 I have.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 8:27 am Subject:

No, I don't mind. It brings peace and comfort.

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