As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.
āFor the sake of future siblings and the comfort of your family, place George in an institution and forget you ever had him.ā
The cruel words, reflective of a common attitude in the U.S. until the 1990s, stung and burned in the hearts of the already heartbroken parents. Their 2-week-old son in their arms, they returned to their little home where happiness had dissipated and the clouds of despair had moved in. Just last month, they had completed the nursery and settled on the name of George for a boy. Oh yes, their son needed a strong name like his dadās and his grandfatherās. Another George it would be.
But the joyous expectations of a first child were crushed by the unexpected. George was a low-functioning baby with Downās syndrome. Despairing of hope, George Sr. and Mary looked to the doctor for advice. His words broke their hearts: āPlace him in an institution immediately, before you become attached. Your opportunities for contact must be removed. I can arrange a place for you in Grand Rapids, Michigan.ā
Fearful and frightened, shaking their fists at God, George and Mary left Chicago on the gut-wrenching trip to Grand Rapids. There, as the doors closed behind them, they left their dreams for the future and returned home to the empty house with the deserted nursery.
Another pregnancy came, and Mary recalled the joys of the first news of the first pregnancy, but rememberāforget you ever had him.
Tomorrow is Dec. 2: he will be 4 years old. Sobbing, Mary wonders, āDoes anyone know? Does anyone care?ā And then, rememberāforget you ever had him.
The children grew, and Mary marked their height inside the closet door wondering, āHow tall ā¦ ?ā No, remember, forget you ever had him.
āOne more story, Mommy, just one more,ā the children begged at bedtime, and Mary wondered if anyone read a bedtime story to ā¦ .ā No, no, remember, forget you ever had him.
Chicken pox, measles came and went. Did he ever have ā¦? Oops, remember, forget you ever had him.
At the age of 26, the state moved George to a smaller facility and placed him in a nonprofit foster care home. The biggest challenge George presented was in developing his social acceptability. His greeting to anyone (friend or foe) was a huge, oversized, sloppy kiss. Day by day and little by little, George blossomed. Now, though the awkward gait remained, he approached people with an outstretched hand. By Christmas he had learned to sing Away in a Manger and was selected to perform at the Christmas program of a local school for the handicapped.
Mail from Michigan! An invitation to a Christmas program. Hmm. Do you suppose? Uh uh, remember, forget you ever had him.
It was Georgeās turn. Aghast at the lights and the crowd, he slowly approached the microphone. The piano began, and George needed to be prompted to sing. No, it wasnāt a sweet voice, it was a raspy voice. The words werenāt clear, and one needed the piano to recognize the song. George smiled broadly at the applause that followed, and in the rear of the auditorium, a mother sobbed in her husbandās arms, āI missed so much, I missed so much, but never again will I remember to forget.ā
A motherās heart never forgets
As I remember Maryās story this Motherās Day, I am reminded that I am not my own but belong to my heavenly Father who holds me in his heart, loves me in my weakness, delights in hearing my feeble voice and unfailingly remembers his own.
About the Author
Joyce Sluiter lives in Zeeland, Mich., where she now attends Community Reformed Church. She enjoys the blessing of her large family, and recently she wrote her memoir, Turn Around, Turn All the Way Around.