Choices

Though we are still new to the game of having a "special needs" child, I've already heard a few comments pretty consistently. They all have the same theme and go something like this, "God must have chose you to be Spencer's family because he knew you could handle it" or "Spence was meant to be in your family because you're such wonderful, loving people" or "God knew what he was doing sending Spence to your family".

Now don't get me wrong the compliments are wonderful! I'm glad people think so much of my family and believe that Spencer is going to be alright just because of the enviroment we are creating for him, BUT I've noticed a little flaw in the system. Many times when I am away from home I see children with varying special needs who were "given" to moms and dads who aren't so wonderful and aren't handling the situation so hot. There are plenty of people out there who I'd like to just smack because they aren't taking care of their kids the way they ought to. Did God mess up that time? I don't think so, but I think the parents definitely are missing a wonderful opportunity.

I don't believe that God made a mistake by giving us Spencer or by giving any other family a kid who is a little more needy than the rest. But I also don't believe that God chose me because I'm some amazing, super mom. What I believe is that I wake up everyday with a choice. A choice that every other mom can choose to make too. I choose to be the mom that Spencer needs be to me. I choose to go the extra mile and make sure all of his needs are going to be taken care of whether financial, medical or emotional. I chose to put aside some of my needs to care for his. I choose to believe that God did "send" us Spencer, but not because he needed us, but because we needed him. I choose to believe that the day Spencer was created was one of God's better days.

So, thanks for the compliments, but I'm not that great, I'm just a mom who wakes up with the same choice every other mom has each day. We all have choices and we all get thrown a curve ball every now and then. I've just decided I'm going to hit that ball out of the park instead of striking out.