Jorge

It's a funny thing how we seem to calculate the passage of time by the photos we come across. They alternately represent times of bliss, times of struggle, times of triumph and - sadly - times we'd much rather just forget.

Maybe it's those times we'd like to forget that need to be remembered most of all. Not memorialized, and not camped out on...just remembered.

This photo of Jorge (and Carter) was taken in early Spring of 2005, and is one of the last pictures snapped before Jordan's appearance began to dramatically change. I cannot see this picture without being swept back in time and, when I emerge back into the reality that is today, I always do so with an overflowing heart and tear-filled eyes. I thank my God that He placed a healing hand on Jordan.

Jorge (Jordan to everyone else) is my quiet child. Though very much the intellectual (and a voracious reader), a little-known fact about Jorge is that he does amazing pencil and charcoal drawings and is currently immersed in learning pottery. While his brother is more outspoken, opinionated, and very vocal about his likes and dislikes, Jorge is the voice of peace. He'd much rather endure a bit of discomfort rather than cause a scene or bring someone a moment of displeasure. He hates having attention aimed his way and has been known to go to greath lengths to make sure that it's NOT.

For these reasons, I am very hesitant to hang out blog posts about him. I want to always respect both of my kids' privacy and never do anything that will bring them any undue embarassment. While Nathan will most likely never have an interest in reading my blog, I know that Jorge occasionally does tune in.

However, as I spent time this weekend uploading the pictures of Jorge's college hunt over this past year, I couldn't help being struck by the dramatic changes I glimpsed as I scrolled from picture to picture. Grief, deep and unrelenting, gripped this mother's heart as my mind traveled back over the past twelve months and relived the scary moments as we watched Jorge seem to wither away before our very helpless eyes. And then I felt the wave of enormous relief that followed on the heels of grief as I realized that we were one of the fortunate families. Our story has a happy ending and, today, Jorge is a healthy young man again...

In the coming days I will share bits and pieces of this journey. Not to capitalize on an emotional experience and certainly not to draw attention to Jorge. If I could tell what we've learned and if I could share God's healing power without tagging it all with Jordan's name, then I would do so. But for the first time since we've come through this experience I'm feeling a responsibility to other mothers out there who may be seeing for the first time little hints that something might not be just right in their teen's eating habits.

And I want them to know that there is hope.

But as I struggle to make sure that I handle what I choose to share with care and great consideration, please just rejoice with this mom at the sheer joy of having her son back to normal - body, mind, and soul. Please visit Jorge's College Hunt photo album located in the left-hand column. So far he's received acceptance letters from two of the three universities he's applied to, but - like his Type A Mom - of course he's holding out for that elusive third one! More on his final choice and what that will entail will follow as he begins to make these decisions.

Happy Sunday...I know I have much to be grateful for today...

Comments

[Denise]

Don't know what was wrong... but glad to know he is doing ok!!!

[Rochelle]

It is amazing how a picture can bring back such a flood of emotions. I know that was a dificult time for all of you. And I am rejoicing with you now. Love ya!

[Tsionah]

I don't really know Jordan... Honestly I've probably only spoken a few words to him (I'm not the best person at starting converstions with people I don't know) - but I'm glad he's doing better and I wish him luck in his college search (trust me i know that I need as much luck - actually prayer as possible)!