Most people become parents by accident, some by choice,
a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.
Did you ever wonder how parents of children with diabetes are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the Earth selecting his instruments
for procreation with great care and deliberation.
As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Williamson, Steve and Donna, son. Patron Saint Billy."
"Klippel, Pat and Cindy, daughter. Patron Saint Allie."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles,
"Give them a child with diabetes."
The angel is curious, "Why this one, God? They are so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a child with diabetes
to parents who do not know laughter?
That would be cruel."
"But have they the patience?" asks the angel.
"I do not want them to have too much patience,
or they will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, they will handle it.
I watched them today. They have that feeling of self and independence.
That is so rare and so necessary in parents.
You see the child I am going to give them has his own world.
They have to make him live in their world and that is not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I do not think they even believe in you?"
God smiles. "Doesn't matter. I can fix that.
This one is perfect. They have just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods.
"If they cannot separate themselves from the child occasionally,
they will never survive.
Yes, here are parents whom I will bless with less than perfect."
"They do not realize it yet, but they are to be envied.
I will permit them to see clearly the things I see...
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow them to rise above them.
They will never be alone.
I will be at their side every minute of every day of their life
because they are doing my work as surely as if they were here by my side."
"And what about their patron saint?" asks the angel.
His pen poised in mid air, God smiles,
"A mirror will serve this purpose."