Safety for the Soul

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

After watching this talk I cannot deny that this Church is true. The Book of Mormon is true. I am grateful for all my ancestors and the trials they went through so that we can have this gospel today. It is my prayer and hope that you were touched by Elder Holland like I was. You cannot deny it.

I was at APE yesterday and met this mom of an autistic boy. As we were talking we found out a lot about each other. It’s amazing how much we have in common. I tend to find that out with all the moms I meet that have children with special needs. In our conversation she mentioned a poem called “The Special Mother”. She asked if I had read it yet. I haven’t of course. So I googled it and read it.

It is so neat to be able to talk to other moms and help each other out. I can’t believe how much support this APE class is for me. When Cameron was born, I had no idea what to do. I had no idea there was so much support for free! Sometimes I wonder how some can give up these little perfect angels. I don’t judge anyone, I just wonder if they ever think about what it could have been like. I know Cameron changes my thinking everyday. He is such a joy to have. He is definately a clown. He loves attention. He loves to make you laugh. It is so cute. Sometimes I think of him like a little puppy. They are fun entertainment. I am so grateful to have Cameron in my life. I know that he brings a lot of challenges, but then a lot of blessings. We would not be a family without Cameron. Thank you Cameron for choosing us to be your parents here on earth. I love you with my whole heart:)

Here’ the poem:

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice,
a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.
Did you ever wonder how these mothers 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 take notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.”
“Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.”
“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 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 knows no laughter?
That would be cruel.”
“But does she have the patience?” asks the angel.
“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 wear off she’ll handle it.”
“I watched her today.
She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I’m going to give her has a world of it’s own.
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 will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn’t know 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 witness to a miracle and know it.
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 the air. God smiles.
“A mirror will suffice.”