United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Just wondering if anyone kept the thing that Erma Bombeck wrote about special mothers that was posted by Francine (I think)? I remember printing it out but cannot find it!!!! Could someone post it again? I thought maybe some new people on the boards might want to read it!!!!!!! I just love all of Erma Bombeck's writing!! She was amazing!

Do you still want it? I printed it out at work and I may still have it. I will look for it and repost. Such a beautiful description of "us".
---Paula

yea yea just blame me for everything...hehehe... I didn't post it...didn't save it either...although if you get it, can you put it up here and I will add it to my site ok?

LOL

-francine

Paula, please post it if you can find it!!!!!!!! Erma Bombeck was a very insightful woman!!!!!!!!!!

I printed it out for my daughter's baby book so that I could look at it again and again! Here it is...

Most woman become mothers by accident, some by chance, 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, Majorie, 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 a 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 or 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 mid air. God smiles. A mirror will suffice.

Erma Bombeck

Julie, Thanks for posting that I was sitting here thinking Wow long story=carpul tunnel. lol. Thanks again----Paula

Thank you Julie. It made me cry just like the first time I read it. I will make sure I print it out and put it in a safe place this time!!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing that with us. It is wonderful!

I truly believe that I had such a difficult pregnancy because I was supposed to appreciate Avery even more than is typical. When she was born I was so happy to know that she was alive - it really didn't bother me that her arm did not move. I couldn't believe that I had my baby!!!

I am now grieving Avery's discomfort and future stumbling stones. She had a horrible delivery and scars remain on her tiny little face but she is wonderful in so many way. We will work through what we are given and become stronger for it.

Thank you,
Bonnie