31 For 21: Who Mothers Children with Disabilities

A friend of mine shared this with me today, and I couldn't help but pass it on.  Looking back, one of the things we went through after getting Kennedy's diagnosis was, "why us?"  It's hard NOT to think that way, when you're blind sided by such shocking news.  (And when your hormones are going wild.)  It didn't take long for me to realize how lucky I was that it was us, because she's a really amazing kid.  I couldn't ask for anything more. 

Who Mothers the Children with Disabilities?


Written by Erma Bombeck Published in the Today Newspaper


September 04, 1993


This year nearly 100,000 women will become a mother of a child with disabilities. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with disabilities are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering the 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. Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Giver her a child with a disability."


The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy." Exactly, smiles God. "Could I give a child with a disability 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. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his or her own world. She has to make him or 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 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 the miracle and know it! When she describes a tree to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creation.


"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. She well never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

This week has been tough.  For the first time in several weeks, we don't have a ton going on.  It's been a little too cool to swim, and yesterday was full of rain.  We've discovered Kennedy's love for Baby Mozart, and her continued love for the swings.  We attempted a walk today.  It resulted in the following.  1) A giant lizard making its new home in my garage.  2) An encounter with 3 raccoons playing in the grass.  3) A hot and sweaty baby.  I think I'll be skipping the neighborhood walks for awhile.  Maybe it's time to hit the mall?  One way or another, I definitely need to find some new activities for us.  

I've got my thumb and a swing!  What more can a girl ask for?  Oh yeah, can I get some milk mom?

I love this Mozart stuff mom!  And my Mum Mums make it even better!  Can I have an iPad?