For all of us who live in Holland

Or know someone who does....

I saw this online recently and I had never seen it before. I know it is cheesey, but I am feeling a little emotional after watching that movie tonight. I hope that you'll indulge me.

The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck

Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his
instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He
observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son. The Patron saint.....give her Gerard. He's
used to profanity"

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a disabled
child".

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy"

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child 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 sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off,
she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that feeling of self
and independence that is 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 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 won't 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 any 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for
the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I
will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty
and 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 "A mirror will suffice"