Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl called Liz.
She was suffering from a rare and serious disease, and her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5 year old younger brother.
He had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the anti-bodies she needed to fight the illness.
Now, the doctor had explained the situation to her little brother, but at 5 years of age, he had not understood what the doctor had explained.
The doctor had asked would he be willing to give his blood to his sister?
The doctor saw him hesitate...just for a moment, before taking a deep breath, then the little fellow said, "Yes, I'll do it....if it'll save her...."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in the bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing
the colour return to her cheeks.
But then..... after a while.....his face grew pale, and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die straight away?"
Being so young....he had misunderstood the doctor...he thought he had to give his sister ALL of his blood in order for her to be saved.
UNDERSTANDING AND ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!
THE SPECIAL MOTHER.....
Most women become mothers by choice.....a few by social pressures.....and a couple by habit!
There is a big probability that 100 000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ARE CHOSEN?
Somehow, try to visualize GOD, hovering over 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.
ARMSTRONG....BETH....son....(patron saint Mathew)
FOREST...MARJORY...daughter....( patron saint Cecelia)
RUTHERS....CARRIE.....twins.....( give her Gerard he's used to profanities)
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles..."Give her a handicapped child"
The angel is curious...."Why this one Lord? she's so happy..."
"Exactly" smiles God...."Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter?....that would be cruel!"
"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel.
God replies..."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 resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that sense of "self" and independence that are so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I am going to give her, has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy!"
"But, Lord, I don't even think she completely puts her trust in You..."
God smiles again...."No matter....I can fix that.....she's perfect....she has just enough selfishness...."
The angel gasps......."Selfishness.....is that a virtue...?" God nods...
"If she can't separate herself from her child occasionally, she'll never survive....yes.....here is a woman whom I will bless with a child that is 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 "Mummy" for the first time......she'll be witnessing a miracle.....and know it!
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see....cruelty.....prejudice.....
and I will 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's here, by My side..."
"And....what about her patron saint???" asked the angel.
God's pen poised in mid air.......He smiles.......
"A MIRROR WILL SUFFICE!"
Bless you....
Yaddy
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