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Most women become a mother by accident, some by
choice and a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how
mother's of children with life threatening illnesses 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 Cecilia"
Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give
her a child with cancer."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so
happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer
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 wears off, she will handle it."

"I watched her today," said God. "She has that feeling
of self-independence that is so rare and necessary in a
mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's
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 believes in you," said the
angel.

"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 the
woman 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 anything her child does for granted. She
will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit
her to see clearly the things I see....ignorance,
cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them."

"And what about her patron saint" asks the angel, his
pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles and says..."A mirror will suffice."