By: Sue Anganes

I went to bed last night expecting four to six inches of snow, but when I awoke, all we had gotten was a dusting. I didn’t expect that. I was anticipating shoveling, boots, and cancellations, but instead the common morning routine took its place.

Photo courtesy of Sue’s mother, Barbara Ortler

From the moment of their births, I have wondered what my children’s lives would turn out to be. I had hopes and dreams for their futures, and over the past twenty-eight years I have seen many of those hopes fulfilled. There have been marriages and grandchildren, graduations and other major accomplishments, all of which have been good and joyful and blessings in our lives. But looking into the future is like looking through a pane of frosted glass. We see an image beyond, but cannot quite make out what it is. We are not sure if that is pleasant or hard, a success or a failure, health or sickness.

I never expected to have a son with a disability. It’s not usually something that we dwell on before our children are born. In my son’s case, he is limited physically, so the hopes and expectations I had for him as a baby had to be adjusted. They are not any less of hopes, but just different. I look through the pane of frosted glass and I’m not sure at all what lies beyond, other than knowing that I will be there for him through each step into that unknown.

It is not easy to be a mom in this current world of turmoil. We do not know what the future holds for our children, or ourselves for that matter, but we are not powerless. We can use every ounce of our mothering energy to help our children strive for and reach their own goals. We can help them to fulfill their own intellectual, physical, and emotional abilities. We can help them to be the best that they can, whatever their limitations are and expect good to come of it.

There is a verse in the Old Testament which is a huge encouragement to me in life:

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosperyou and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”    ~ Jeremiah 29:11

In the year 2013, I pray that all of you will guide your beloved children into the future with love and joy.

~ Sue