I know you all love reading about Josh. This was found on one of the preemie sites that I visit. There are times I asked... why me? Instead of a negative answer... this is positive. So now when I ask why me?? I can say it's because I deserve him.
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year thousands of mothers will give birth to a premature baby. Did you ever wonder how mothers of preemies 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. “Forest, Majorie, daughter. Patron saint, Ceceila. “Rutledge, 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 premature baby.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.” “Exactly, “ smiles God. “Could I give a premature baby a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”
“But does she have 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 that sense of self and independence that are 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 who comes in a less than perfect way. 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 witness to 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, the pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.
-Author unknown.
8 comments:
That is absolutely beautiful!
So have you and Dave looked in mirrors lately?
I love that little "story." There is also one called "Welcome to Holland" which is actually about disability but I think it really sums up my experience with having a preemie.
Thinking of you guys. Josh looks GREAT! I'm so impressed with him.
Dianna, thanks for sharing a touching and beautiful story. We all should learn from your experiences and never take our own child's smile for granted! Joshua is a lucky boy to have you and Dave as his angels >:<
Love,
Donna and Ray
These things are hard to think about when you are going through the stressful steps of preemie-hood. My "preemie" is now 14 & the story you posted reassures me that special babies require special parents. And they grow up to be some of the most special people we will ever know. It seems so long ago to me (and someday it will to you) but having a preemie who is now a beautiful, lively,
wise-beyond-her-years person WAS indeed a gift. It built strength, awareness and love in me that never existed before. Joshua will do that for you, dave AND Arran! He's a wonderful gift, enjoy him.
Forgot to sign, sorry
Lori H
As you very well know my friend.....Through my eyes andyours.....Every day, every moment, no matter how simple or seemingly unimportant, is a graciuos gift. I send my angel feathers to Joshua every night before my eyes close!
Love you.....Joan
Hi~ I just wanted to send you a message of encouragement and support! I don't know you personally, but I do b/c my son who was born at 28 weeks 5 days one year ago on March 30th. I read through your posts and can relate to all that you say and feel. Our son was in the NICU for 2.5 months, and he is now thriving. Crawling around, clapping his hands, babbeling, and happy as can be. He celebrated his first birthday with his big friends and preemie friends. His 5 preemie friends ranged from 25 weeks to 28. The lowest birth weight was 1.4 and the largest was 2.6. All of the babies, including triplets, are doing phenominal. So please keep the faith. In closing, God bless you and your family; I just want to share something that a pediatrician friend told me after she heard that I had a 28 weeker born at 2 lbs and 1.8 oz. She told me that, although some of the literature out there can scare the heck out of you, the most successful preemies, speaking long term, that she has seen in her practice were those ranging from 24 to 29 weeks. She said they are the strongest, fiestest, and most special! She is unable to pin point why it is that they do so well other then that they are here for a special purpose and fight their way to stay and this is what makes them such special people. Joshua seems so very special and blessed to have loving parents! Take care!
Wow what an amazing story.
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