Poem

From Dear Abby's column today, a request for a reprint of a poem that had appeared in her column before:

The author, Edna Massimilla, wrote it after her daughter -- a child with Down syndrome -- was born.

I have always found its message to be very moving and, when I spoke to Edna, she told me it was written to emphasize that every creation is for a purpose. She's in her 90s now and still writing poems and songs -- especially for children with disabilities. Read on:

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth.

It was time again for another birth.

Said the Angels to the Lord above --

This special child will need much love.

Her progress may be very slow,

Accomplishment she may not show.

And she'll require extra care

From the folks she meets down there.

She may not run or laugh or play,

Her thoughts may seem quite far away.

So many times she will be labeled

'different,' 'helpless' and disabled.

So, let's be careful where she's sent.

We want her 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 are asked to play.

But with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith, and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given

In caring for their gift from heaven.

Their precious charge, so meek and mild

Is heaven's very special child."

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While we feel quite confident at this point that Lily will overcome all of the delays and difficulties she is currently facing, this poem gets to the heart of why we decided to take a "risk" on a special needs child. After three years of agonizing waiting and frustration God showed us that we were actually the ones with special needs. That we had hardened our hearts to His beautiful and wonderful creation. Once we allowed Him to repair our hearts we were finally able to receive the precious gift He had in mind for us. Lily is exactly what the poem says "so meek and mild" and she is most definitely "heaven's very special child." We are extra special blessed in understanding that God guided our path in such a way as to allow us to choose this little girl for our very own, simply out of the faith and love He put in our hearts.