The Teak Wood Elephant

So many years ago, a sturdy teak wood elephant made the long journey from Africa to help ease the pain of our son’s then undiagnosed illness. This elephant remains with us while, for a third of his life, our son has not. On our mantel it resides, reminding me of the other “elephant in the room.” 

Mentions of our last trip to California, the sweet visits to Culver’s, the glorious choir concerts or our son’s piano playing are in vain. The silence that follows sharing these memories feels like words being quickly snatched from the air before they have a chance to enter ears, minds or hearts. They are, no doubt, too difficult to entertain. I do not hold this against anyone but each silence as a response seems to be another nail in the coffin, reminding me that HE is to be dead to us. When, in fact, he has left with the herd mentality of gender ideology. 

Ultimately, this elephant on the mantel does not cause me pain. Each time I look at it, I continue to pray and expect our son’s return. I envision him taking that teak wood elephant from the mantel and examining it while I gladly drive out that other elephant, the “elephant in the room” that has stayed too long. We would once again sit side by side on the sofa, knowing that words may be hard to come by but love is not.  

Happy 30th Birthday. May this new decade usher in a turning back, transformation, and true happiness. You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and I will always remember you as such.