My son has had cerebral palsy all his life, and many
strange things have been happening ever since the day of
his birth. Every child is blessed somewhat, but it seems to
me that this child has something like no other.
We all were expecting a beautiful, healthy child. I had
spent months setting up for the baby. When it was time to
go to the hospital I had a long, hard labor and although
the doctor offered comforting words, I knew something was
wrong.
It was my worst nightmare- beautiful, healthy Michael I had
dreamed so much about was sick and helpless. The only thing
worse than watching your child die is watching your child
in pain and you can't do anything. I was only 25 and my
husband and I had recently wed; we were broke, but we were
happy, and that's all that really matters right? But the
happiness was sucked out of it when we realized Michael was
ill. But Michael was a lovely baby and brightened up our
bleakest hours.
My husband had to work endless hours to bring home enough
for Michael's expenses and I had to stay home to rest and
take care of Michael. I remember his baby smile- it was
captivating, like the light of the sun. He warmed me from
head to toe... it was so unrealistic, the feelings it gave.
I loved that smile.
When Michael got older, things got better. He never cried-
not ever. When he was about 3, my mother was dying. My
mother and Michael had always had a special connection and
Michael had loved her so very much. The night of my
mother's death was an odd one. I was sleeping peacefully
when I heard Michael begin to cry. I got up and tried to
comfort him, but he was crying uncontrollably. I sat in the
rocking chair with him and looked at the clock, which read
2:02 A.M. There was an odd cast of light in the room and I
assumed it was just light coming in from the window.
Minutes later I decided that Michael needed to be taken
into my bedroom. Michael fell asleep but I found I could
not. I tossed in turned for hours, and at 5 A.M. I realized
sleep was hopeless. I kept thinking about Michael. Why had
he been crying? He had never cried. I played the scene in
my head over and over again and remembered every little
detail. Then, I took Michael into his bedroom and put him
back in the crib. As I walked from the room, I suddenly
remembered the odd light from the window. I looked up to
the window to see that the blinds were silent and shut.
At 6:30 (millions of cups of coffee later) I heard the
phone ring. Wondering who- other than my husband- would be
calling this early, I answered the ring. It was my sister
with a tearful voice. "Maura," she said, "Mom passed away
earlier this morning." I saved my mourning for later and
began to analyze everything. "Do you know the time, Sharon?
As in.. the exact time?" Sharon sniffed. "I- I don't know,
I'll check." We hung up, and minutes later she called
again. "The nurses say it was at 2:02 A.M." she informed
me. I nearly dropped the phone. But this was only the
beginning of the blessed experiences I would have with
Michael.
When Michael got a bit older, his condition worsened and
the doctor suggested a risky surgery. If it worked, the
nerves that were in places that they weren't supposed be
(forgive me for not being able to put this in medical
terms, I'm no doctor)would be removed and he'd be in a lot
better condition; however, if it didn't work, he'd be in a
wheelchair for the rest of his life. Michael was 6 and
therefore too young to make the decision, and I was afraid.
I really didn't know what to do.
A few days later we went to a cafe down the street for
lunch. My son had to go to the bathroom so my husband
walked him down there. Since Michael has cerebral palsy, he
sort of limps when he walks. The waitress that had recently
taken our orders walked up to me and asked, "What's wrong
with him?" I was ready to burst with anger and fury. It
wasn't her business what was wrong with my son! She should
mind her own business so she doesn't get slugged in the
nose by me! But I restrained my self and replied, "Michael
has cerebral palsy. Why do you ask?" The waitress smiled
and responded, "Oh, I have a nephew who has cerebral palsy.
Yeah, you see that building over there?" she said, pointing
out the window to a tall building. "He worked on the
construction crew when it was built." I nodded politely but
inside my head, I was filled with shock. Not many people
with such an illness can work on a building. After we ate,
we went home and thoughts of the waitress' nephew filled me
on the way.
That night, while my husband was fast asleep, I sat up and
clamped my hands together and prayed. I prayed, "God, I'm
confused and I don't know what to do. If we go through with
the surgery, it could help Michael, but if something goes
wrong, he could be in a wheel chair for the rest of his
life and it would be my fault. Please, God, you don't have
to tell me anything... just send me a sign, thats all I
need. Just a sign." At that moment a vision a woman I had
never seen in my life pointed to a building, and said, "My
nephew built that." I then realized what I had to do.
We decided to have Michael go through with the surgery, and
now he's 17, and in good health. He plays for a special ed
basketball team and even has a girlfriend. He's happy, but
I think I'm much happier. I'm also thankful for the
blessings and signs I have received from him. Sometimes in
life, you should not count your blessings, but value them.
And they can be as simple as a little sick child who grows
into a wonderful young man.
P.S. I know this is supposed to be a scary story and I sort
of changed it into an inspirational, but it still has some
scary parts =)
Contact me here:crashNburn5436@yahoo.com
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