HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

* * *

A meeting was held quite far from earth! It's 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. In many ways she won't adapt, and she'll be known as handicapped.

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're 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.

by Edna Massimilla

MY LIFE GROWING UP IN MICHIGAN

* * *

My family lived in a small town near upper Michigan. A welcome sign just as you enter city boundaries says "Gateway to the North."

Our family consisted of my parents, Margaret and Merrill McQuiston, four daughters, Janet, Marilyn (myself), Linda and Sally (whom the story is about) and one son, Larry. We were just like every other family except for having a child with Down Syndrome. During my lifetime things were much different and people were less tolerant of those who are diverse.

My sister, Janet, was only fourteen months older than I, and she was bossy as all get out. She was also the favorite and usually got her own way. My younger siblings either tagged along or I helped care for them when needed. We were a normal family with a small home, simple lifestyle, and many good memories.

We lived a serendipity kind of life and had so many opportunities that come with small town living and recreational activities existing on a lake. My parents didn't have a lot of money to spend on speed boats or recreational equipment, but we had a small row boat that sufficed. Many hours of pleasure were derived from paddling around the lake, fishing or swimming to cool off on a hot summer day. Fish were never wasted. Instead, we brought them home, cleaned them and had fresh fish for dinner. They don't get any better than that.

Summers were hot and humid, but we were able to cool off in the lake just one block away. Although there was no beach on the shore near us, we found places where we could go. We all became good swimmers and enjoyed fun times on hot summer days just cooling off with a nice refreshing swim.

Our summer tans were dark and lasted half the year.

Winters were another story. Snow piled so high we had to stop and peek around the corner to watch for oncoming traffic. Icicles hanging from our roof eaves we could reach, break off, and lick like popsicles for a refreshing drink of water. The weather was very cold, but we walked over a mile to school and back every day. Neighbors did the same and our beagle hound went along to guard us from anyone or anything dangerous. We were much safer than today's youth who have to be anxious about terrorist attacks in malls, cyber attacks, identity theft, invasion of privacy, internet stalkers, exposure to violence, pornography, kidnapping, gunfire, dangers in school and dangers of human trafficking.

Spring rains came down like large bullets, but none of us had rain coats or umbrellas. We endured the water and took it in stride. Sometimes we were drenched by the time school started and everyone just sat in their wet clothes until they dried. The only ones free from it rode busses and lived far out in the country. Their bus rides were long and covered several miles. I was just a young girl. My two sisters always came along and we looked out for each other. Our little brother, Larry, was too young for school and stayed home.

Deer season came in autumn and crossing US 27 in Harrison, Michigan on our way to school and back was a big challenge that lasted all deer season. Hunters from the city were headed up north across the great lake with high prospects of bringing back a deer. No courtesy was shown to children trying to cross the road and sometimes the wait would be long and weary. We frequently had to wait more than twenty minutes for a traffic break so we could wend our way to the school house. The deer hunters were bumper to bumper, lined up all the way to the ferry boats in Mackinaw City that crossed the water to St. Ignace in upper Michigan where deer were plentiful, the woods wild, and chances of getting a buck were excellent.

Today the ferry boats have been replaced by the Mackinac Bridge. The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. State of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the 8,614-foot bridge (familiarly known as "Big Mac" and "Mighty Mac") is the world's 16th longest in total suspension. The Mackinac Bridge carries Interstate 75 and the Lakes Michigan and Huron Great Lakes Circle Tours across the straits. The bridge connects the city of St. Ignace on the north end with the village of Mackinaw City on the south.

Deer populations were so large some animals would starve in the cold winters,...