Messages In The Mirror

I was recently challenged to start writing down meaningful moments in my life. Remembrances. To document the "God moments" in my life. The times when God shows up so clearly and the times I don't see him so clearly. The thought felt a little over whelming so I felt I would start with short stories. Glimpses, pictures-- snapshot moments of my life. I have happy moments and sad moments just like everyone else but I want to remember these moments, learn from these moments and cherish these moments. In any case, this is a challenge and I want to go for it.

Messages in the Mirror

My youngest brother, Jonathan, has Down's Syndrome. He is the love of my life....I love him unconditionally. When we were growing up our father always scolded us for drawing on the fogged up window of our car. Usually, I was handed a paper towel and window cleaner to clean up my art. My poor father just did not appreciate such artwork. However, Jonathan, doesn't understand why he can't draw on the windows, etc.

I am not with Jonathan everyday. He lives away from me and is involved in a special workshop program in Kansas. I currently live in Washington state and recently, for a short while, lived in Nebraska. Denver, CO however is home. My parents live there and my grandma lives there. Our family has Jonathan home as much as possible. Holidays, special vacations, etc.

I always coach him during his shower time (because he forgets to use shampoo/soap) and it is a time that I help him with his personal care. I make sure all his clothes are in order and his deodorant and cologne are laid out. Sometimes he is irritated and doesn't want me to know he didn't use soap but most of the time he loves the personal attention. Somewhere between getting out of the shower in a very foggy bathroom and his final dress - he draws on the mirror.

What was once thought an irritant has become a special blessing to me. My bathroom mirrors now have messages........when I hop out of the shower........there they are like magic. I'm always amazed as I have never once actually caught him creating the drawings. Hearts, peace signs, crowns and other little messages and pictures Jonathan meant for me to see. He loves to surprise.

My car windows are the same. Between the smudges from my dogs nose - I find those precious messages. It breaks my heart when I have to clean to actually see out of the windows. I'm not sure what the 9-1-1 (drawn very big) on the back window meant on his last visit but it brings a smile to my face.

I've learned I can carefully clean the bathroom mirrors and not all his messages will be eliminated. I can't wait until his next visit to see what message he'll leave. I always tell him...."Hmmmm....there is a big heart on my bathroom mirror....I wonder where that came from?" He just giggles -- it is our little game. How precious to me.

It reminds me that life may not always be easy and my way may be foggy and hard to see but only when it is foggy do I get to see my special messages. And these have become all the more precious as Jon was diagnosed with early onset dementia and I don't know how long I'll continue to receive those beautiful messages in the mirror.