Heaven's Very Special Child

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from Earth

"It's time again for another birth"

Said the Angels to the Lord above

This special child will need much love

His progress may seem very slow

Accomplishments he may not show

And he'll require extra care

From folks he meets, way down there

He may not run, laugh, or play

His thoughts may seem quite far away

So many times he will be labeled different,

helpless and disabled

So let's be careful where he's sent

We want his life to be content;

Please Lord find the parents who

will do a special job for you

They will not realize right away

The leading role they're asked to play

So with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith and a richer love

And soon they'll know the privilege given

In caring for their gift from Heaven

This special child so meek and mild

Is "Heaven's Very Special Child."

- Unknown author

I have read this poem many times before and thought I would post it.  I have had some sad last few days, don't ask me why because I don't really know.  Maybe it is because Luke is already bearing weight on his legs and has head control at 6 weeks and it seems that Dylan just started doing that.  Or maybe because Hailey has begun asking more questions about Dylan lately.  For instance, "Mommy, why can't Dylan talk or walk yet?"  and "Why is baby Luke growing so fast and Dylan is growing so slow?"  My response has been that God made Dylan extra special and it is going to take him a little longer to do some things and it is going to take him a little longer to grow. 

I have been thinking about the future, and the truth is it really scares me.  I have also been thinking a lot of what life would have been like if Dylan was born with all of his chromosomes intact.  I even had to bite my lip to keep from full-on crying when I was in the checkout line at Walmart on Friday because I saw a little boy about Dylan's age running down the aisle.  I know that it is probably not helping me to have these thoughts but I can't seem to control it.  I am a pro at the art of smiling and laughing on the outside but screaming on the inside.  Unless I tell someone that something is wrong they usually won't know it.  So last night I went on an Internet search to look for some inspirational quotes or poems for parents of children with special needs and I came across this:

Everyday brings us unique challenges that can wear us down or build us up.

For within each day:

• We may have every strength and weakness of our own tested
• We will have to fight and advocate for our children
• We will choose to protect our integrity and theirs
• We will stand firm amongst criticism and in our beliefs
• We can choose to embrace their uniqueness
• We will love them with every part of our being
• We can find renewed hope and strength
• We can find peace and love where there may have not otherwise been
• We may cry, grieve, and mourn what we cannot, or do not have
• Yet, we can choose to celebrate, value and appreciate what we do

We face life with an incredible amount of strength and courage.  We count our blessings, we realize the frailty and preciousness of life, we find wings we may have never had, and we, in the end, inspire others and show our children amazing and unconditional love.  We climb a tough mountain, but the steeper it is and the more hurdles we encounter on the way, the more we appreciate the view from the top.  We have seen and learned things most people don't get a chance to.  We value differences, validate each other and know a love and appreciation deeper than most.

I think this hits how I feel right on the nose. 

Then no matter how sad I am or how much I am crying I take one look at this precious face and my heart melts and I can't help but smile.