To My son Zurich

It is with hope in our hearts and a mind full of questions that we set aside our tears for now and report that on Dec 22 2011 at about 8 am and at 24 weeks 4 days that my water broke. Sending us to the hospital and from there I have since been sent 100 miles from home to be admitted to a hospital with a larger and better NICU where our son will spend the first few months of his life once he is born.
I don't have many words to say right now, But have found great comfort in the poem I have found today that I would like to share now.
It is my hope that maybe others , friends and family may find comfort in it too.


God gave me you!

Did you ever wonder how the Mothers of Premature babies are chosen? 
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth, Selecting his instrument 
for propagation with great care and deliberation.
As he observes, he has his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong,Beth,Son,Patron Saint,Mattew.
Forrest,Marjorie,Daughter,Patron Saint,Celia,Rutledge.
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 Preemie"
The angel is curious."Why this one God?He's so happy"
"Exactly", smiles God" Could I give a premature baby a Mother who 
knows no laughter? That would be cruel"
"But Does she have patience?" ask the Angel.
"I don't want her to have to much patience,or she'll 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 a sense of self and 
independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.You see,the child 
I'm giving her has a world of it's own. 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 the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasp, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"
God nods, If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, 
she will never survive. Yes here is a women whom I will bless with a 
child less the perfect. She doesn't know 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 witness a 
miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see- 
ignorance,cruelty,prejudice-and she will never be along.
I will be at her side every minute of everyday of her life because she 
is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side"
"And what about her patron saint?" asked the angel. His pen poised in 
the air.
God smiles"A mirror will suffice."