Sunday, October 19, 2008

poem

i recently came across this poem.....

GOD KNOWS A GOOD MOTHER
by Erma Bombeck


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 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, Marjorie, 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," smiles 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 wears off, she'll handle it.

"I watched her today. 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 it 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 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 not 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 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 she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. " A mirror will suffice."



i really liked certain parts of this poem...i don't think im a saint or anything, lol...but the part in the poem that says: "She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will not consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and know it!".....that part made me cry.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

some equipment advice please....

so milo's birthday is coming up soon and im hoping it will be a chance to get a few much needed things that i have been putting off for financial reasons.

i have a general idea of what im looking for but am sort of lost on where to find what i need, what works best, etc.... so, here's what im looking for:

we need a high chair that is going to work for a one year old with very limited head control and so so trunk strength.

we would like to find a stroller that milo can sit upright in, or at least an attachment or something to put in the stroller that will help hold his head and body upright.

we need a really good, really comfortable, really supportive baby carrier...kind of like a snugli, or baby bjorn...but better.

that's all i cant think of right now, but i would also love suggestions on any equipment, activities, toys, whatever, that made life easier at this age...(keep in mind that milo has very limited vision as well). thanks!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

help me decide....

my dad and step-mom came to visit over the weekend. they live in maine and try to get to dallas every three months or so. it was a really nice weekend, and it really reminded me of how much milo has changed and how far he has come since the last time they came...he has really progressed alot and i am so proud.


on an unrelated note...i've been shopping around for a cute halloween costume for milo...i'm really excited about his first halloween and can't wait to take tons of really adorable pictures!!
so far i kind of like this little batman costume,

and this darth vador costume....

but i also like this monkey costume

and this bat costume from old navy...

any opinions? lets take a vote on which is the cutest!

 
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