"How God Selects The Mother of a Diabetic Child" by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice,

a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with

diabetes 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. He's

used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles,

"Give her a child with diabetes."

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

happy."

"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give a child with

diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter?

That would be cruel."

"But has she the patience?" asks the angel.

"I will be at her side every minute of every day of

her life because she is doing my work as surely as if

she is here by my side. 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 wear off,

she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that

feeling of self and independence that is so rare and

so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I am

going to give her has her 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 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 cannot separate herself from the

child occasionally, she will never survive.

"Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than

perfect. She does not realize it yet, but she is to be

envied. 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."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his

pen poised in mid air. God smiles.

"A mirror will suffice."