Mother’s Day is almost here. In honor of the day and for special needs mothers, guest blogger Stephanie Ballard is here with a poem for all of you.

Here’s for the Special Needs Mothers Who…

Once upon a time I rocked my baby doll in a pink plastic cradle that my grandmother had bought me for Christmas. I dreamed of the day that I would get married and have children of my own. I never imagined in any of my daydreams that I would have a child with special needs.  In the eight and a half years since my son Braeden was born, I have met countless mothers who have walked a path similar to my own. Some face coming to terms with their child’s life-threatening illness, as we do, others have learned to live with the diagnosis of autism or behavioral issues (we’ve been there too). We share a common bond, an invisible thread that connects in inexplicable ways. May God bless each of you this Mother’s Day.

This is for the mothers…
(Each mother that I’ve known)
Whose greatest hope was someday
To have children of her own.
For those who proudly rocked their dolls
And kissed them each goodnight.
This is for the mothers
Who were told, “Something’s not right.”

This is for the mother
Who when faced with such a trial
Sits beside her child’s bed
Just praying all the while.
For those who learned of patience
In ways that no one should.
For mothers who know all too well
Life isn’t always good.
When dreams of all the oohs and ahhs
As doting friends arrive
Become instead…a battle
To help their children thrive.

This is for the mothers
Who refuse to sit in silence,
Advocating for their children
With constant love and guidance.
Appointments fill their busy lives
It’s time to go again
With feeding pumps, and specialists
A tank of oxygen.
And people stop…to look their way
Just wondering…what’s wrong?
I’ve seen that look, a hundred times
They’re thinking I am strong.
The oohs and ahhs don’t matter.
Now life seems much more clear.
I’m lucky I’m his mother….
I’m blessed to have him here.

This is for the mother
Whose shaking hands release
The child that she loves so much
(And then she prays for peace)
“We will take good care of him,”
The nurse says carefully
This mother’s thoughts are simple,
“Lord bring him back to me.”
His life no longer in her hands
She wonders what’s in store.
This is for the mother
Who has walked this road before.

This is for the mother
Whose worst fear comes to light.
“We’re still not certain what went wrong,
We’ll watch her through the night.”
For mothers who sit powerless,
Praying…please let her survive.
For mothers who go on somehow
When their miracle doesn’t arrive.
As some wake up on Mothers’ Day
To kisses, cards and laughs,
Others have just memories and well-worn photographs.

This is for the mothers
Who knows that it’s a treasure.
To have a child…love a child,
There is no greater pleasure.
For runny eggs and blackened toast
Arranged upon a tray
With a bunch of wilted dandelions.
“Mom does it taste okay?”
For every busy restaurant
And every crowded mall,
The words “I love you mama,” are…
The greatest gift of all.

~Stephanie Ballard
With a Hopeful Heart

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms of kids with special needs!

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