I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!!!

How can I not say something about the tragedy this morning in Conneticut?  I am sickend to my stomach. 
This now gives me, once again, another reason to appreciate my life and the cards that were delt to me. 
So now, I can take a long look at myself and think about what my life is really all about.  For me, it shouldn't be about what things I can buy for my kids and how to meet all of their wants.  For me, it can't be about how many times I can amuse them by taking my kids to Chuck E. Cheese or McDonald's.
For me it's mentally absorbing all of the accomplishments  and milestones my special needs son is making.  It's remembering not to stay discouraged for too long when I see my son regressing in certain areas.   
Sometimes I find myself wondering why I was given an autistic son with all of the difficulties that comes.  But then I wonder, WHY NOT ME?  Unlike those who don't have special needs persons in their lives, I get the opportunities time and time again to appreciate the small accomplishments my son makes: where's the salt? (he complained to me one day about how tasteless dinner was!) and what the heck! (he comments when he hears those lousey singers on American Idol). AND JUST NOW, MY YOUNGER SON ANNOUNCED THAT JORDAN JUST BROKE THE BATHROOM FAN--LOCATED ON THE CEILING!!!  Those events remind me that regressive behavior will pop-up more times than I'd like to count!
Well, let me go see the damage Jordan has made.  He is now laughing about the NAUGHTY deed he just did! (NOT FUNNY JORDAN!!)
Let me leave you with this poem that I came across the other day.  The poem doesn't give you the answer why you were selected for this specialized position.  It rather tells you what you'll learn if you allow yourself to experience the 'unknown' of tomorrow.
Some Mothers Chosen By God By Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children 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, Cecelia.
"Rudledge, Carrie, twins. Patron saint...give her Gerard, He's used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she 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'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'm going to give her has his own 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 can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child who is less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a "spoken word." She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.
"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. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."