Love.
Pure love.
Because of my sister, Michelle, I get to experience pure love every day. She is 54 years old and was born with Down Syndrome. She just loves you. When you meet her, Michelle immediately begins to tell you about her next most important event. She starts with “Good news!” after that names and words are less and less retrievable for her.
When the conversation ends, she reaches out and hugs whoever she’s talking with and says, “I love you.” She says this to everyone; old and new friends alike. Sure, we’ve told her that she probably shouldn’t hug everyone, or tell everyone she loves them. Or should she? Maybe that is why God gave her to us; to share His message of love. Is this her Great Commission?
We began to notice Michelle having trouble remembering names a while back, but I’m bad with names so I didn’t think anything of it. Then she started forgetting what she had for lunch or why she went into a room. It was when she started putting her clothes on backward that I finally accepted there was something else going on. This wasn’t her Down’s. This is Alzheimer’s.
Michelle came to live with us almost two years ago, now. She attends a wonderful day program, truly enjoys it, and loves the staff. The first question every day and the last question every night is, “Am I going to school tomorrow?” Then she hugs me and tells me she loves me.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving Michelle to us. For sharing Your love through her.
She is kind, patient, good, gentle, joyful, and peaceful. She knows who Jesus is and refects His presence to us every day. In caring for her we are learning the fruits of the Spirit are because we receive them from her every day. I know that You are faithful, Lord, to care for her until she is with You, in heaven. In the meantime, develop in us a sense of peace as we walk into this unknown future together.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)
Go to the Table of Contents to read more posts in this series as they go live.
It’s October so this must be time for 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free-Writes. The event is hosted by Kate Motaung over at Five Minute Fridays. We write daily for five minutes, or maybe a bit longer. The point is to write. Kate provides writers with a one-word writing prompt each day. Today the prompt is NOTICE.
Inspirational!
Thank you! It’s my sister who inspires.
This is a awesome post. And yes Michelle, is spreading God’s love.
Thanks for being “all in” with me. I couldn’t do it without you!
Every day! Your support means so much. Thank you!
LOVE LOVE LOVE AND MORE LOVE!!!!
Hi Mary, Thanks for visiting and for you LOVE!
Thank you for sharing! She has touched my life, that’s for sure!
Thanks for your kind words. Michelle has a way of getting right to the heart. Mom will be glad to know we heard from you.
From one Sue to another, I love the Suzy q.
Hi Suzette. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I greatly appreciate your honesty and inspiration. Michelle has God’s Love.
Thank for visiting and for your kind words. Yes, I believe God walks with her every day.
We are all GOD’S Love , but Michelle is GOD’S big LOVE!!
Thanks for sharing Suzette
❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️
Yes, she is! Thank you for visiting.