This photo was taken the 27th of December 1947 in Savanna, GA.
Bride: Sydney Ellis Shipley
Groom: William Jason Shipley
Bridesmaids: Emily Ellis Groover, Frances Ellis Lewis (Sisters of the bride)
Groomsmen: Charles Groover, Best friend of the Groom, and Gilbert Bunny Lewis also a good friend of the Groom.
Flower Girl (Age about 4): Beth Groover daughter of Charles and Emily.
Mother of a "Special" Child
When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all
I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough
The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you
This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak
So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry
To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday
But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good
But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too
A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.
God Choose a mother for a "Special" child
Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But she has patience?" asked the angel.
"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her 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 enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize 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 be present at a miracle, and will know it!"
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".
And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."
1 comment:
From Beth:
That's your Aunt Fanny and Uncle Vernon Shipley, Aunt Frances and Uncle Bunny Lewis, Grandfather and Grandmother Shipley and "Little Ole Me!" It's too bad it's not in color but that wasn't heard of "way back then!" The dresses were variations of shades of blue. Your grandma borrowed hers from my mother's best friend, Mary Margaret (then Wilson) Cooke. They were married on Dec. 27th - most probably 1947 because I think I was 4 and would have been 5 on my birthday on Dec. 31st in just 4 days. I remember how absolutely beautiful she looked as I watched her walking down the isle holding her head so high and just beaming with love and joy. I think I loved your Grandfather almost as much as she did - that is in my little way! He always came to see me and brought me something special when he came to town. The most special thing he gave me I still have in my living room and all my children AND even Tommy has sat in it - my little barrel rocking chair! I'll keep it until the day I die and I want you to have it when I'm gone. Mama and I have had a terrible time getting the bonds from the bank! every time we have tried to get them something has happened! Either the bank doesn't do them any more or they are closed or the person who does them isn't there today or doesn't answer the phone or doesn't call us back or we forgot to take the information with us when we go etc!!!. Right now we're waiting on the lady to call us back and then I have to go and pick them up tomorrow IF she calls us back! Maybe I'll get them in the mail tomorrow - I hope so anyway. I'm trying. I haven't checked the blog in a week or so but I will later today. Mama has been with me for almost 2 weeks so I've really been busy and haven't been on the internet much at all. Give Rob my love and give the babies hugs and kisses and save some for your self. I hope you're getting enough rest??? Take care. I'm so sorry I couldn't talk yesterday but I was in the hospital room and I felt I was being rude. Love you bunches, Beth :) Thanks for sending me the pic!
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