A Child Less Than Perfect
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 handicaped children are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth
selecting his instruments for propagation with great
care and deliberations as he instructs his angels to
make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstong-Beth - son, patron saint Matthew.
Forest-Mary - daughter, patron saint, Cecilia.
Rutlege-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 is so happy." "Exactly," smiles God. "Could I
give a handicapped child to a mother who knows no
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
the feeling of substance 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 it live in her world and that's not
easy." "But, Lord, I don't think she 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
from the child occasionally she'll never survive.
Yes, here is a woman 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 mommy for the first
time she will be present at a miracle and know it.
When she describes a tree or 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.....
