Heaven's Very Special Child
While I was cleaning out my desk, preparing for summer, I came across this poem. I had cut it out of the newspaper years ago. I hope you enjoy it, too....
Heaven's Very Special Child
A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
It was time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above-
"This special child will need much love.
"Her progress may be very slow,
"Accomplishment she may not show.
"And she'll require extra care
"From the folks she meets down there.
"She may not run or laugh or play,
"Her thoughts may seem quite far away.
"So many times she will be labeled
"'different, 'helpless' and disabled.
"So, let's be careful where she's sent.
"We want her life to be content.
"Please, Lord, find the parents who
"Will do a special job for you.
"They will not realize right away
"The leading role they are asked to play.
"But with this child sent from above
"Comes stronger faith, and richer love.
"And soon they'll know the privilege given
"In caring for their gift from heaven.
"Their precious charge, so meek and mild
"Is heaven's very special child."
~Edna Massimilla
Heaven's Very Special Child
A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
It was time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above-
"This special child will need much love.
"Her progress may be very slow,
"Accomplishment she may not show.
"And she'll require extra care
"From the folks she meets down there.
"She may not run or laugh or play,
"Her thoughts may seem quite far away.
"So many times she will be labeled
"'different, 'helpless' and disabled.
"So, let's be careful where she's sent.
"We want her life to be content.
"Please, Lord, find the parents who
"Will do a special job for you.
"They will not realize right away
"The leading role they are asked to play.
"But with this child sent from above
"Comes stronger faith, and richer love.
"And soon they'll know the privilege given
"In caring for their gift from heaven.
"Their precious charge, so meek and mild
"Is heaven's very special child."
~Edna Massimilla
Great Read!
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/9/3/27939315/853326499.png)
Wow! The author, Naoki Higashida, is a Japanese boy affected by autism. He was just 13 years old when he wrote this book. It is a very short, quick read. The book is in a Question/Answer format where Higashida asks and then answers questions ("Why do you like lining up your toys so obsessively?", "Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?", "Why do you jump?"). While I know that he can't possible speak for ALL people with autism, his answers provided a great deal of insight into the behaviors that we see and associate with autism. My copy of this book is currently making the rounds at school, (Mrs. Ross...Ms. Bell....Mrs. Feasel....Mrs. Palmer....I hope I get it back sometime!). As soon as I got this book and read the first couple of pages, I had to put everything on hold until I read the final page (about an hour and a half). I highly recommend this book!