Jason's typical Sunday morning routine of cereal and cartoons was followed by the sound of a low humming coming from the kitchen. Pancakes were being flipped by Lorna. Michael was fumbling with his eggs. The ease with which the two navigated one another had been absent for years. Not coerced. Not flawless. Simply put, natural.
After breakfast, Jason had vanished into his room, declaring that he was "working on a surprise." They made no inquiries. Surprises could be anything from a new science experiment to a cereal box dragon with him.
However, he was carrying a piece of rolled-up drawing paper with a ribbon wrapped around it when he eventually came back.
He smiled from ear to ear and declared, "I made something." "It is for both of you."
Michael straightened his posture. Lorna knelt before him and wiped her hands.
With sparkling eyes, Jason handed over the paper. Our family is involved. How I perceive us
Michael and Lorna unfolded it carefully on the coffee table.
It was a bright, naive crayon drawing. Under a bright sky, four figures stood, with Jason in the center, holding hands with Michael and Lorna. They were all grinning. He had written, "MY FAMILY – TOGETHER," above them in bold blue letters.
There was a little three-window house next to them. Two hearts hung intertwined just above his parents' heads, and a tree towered in the corner.
Michael's throat became constricted. He put his fist to his mouth.
Lorna made no effort to suppress her tears.
She glanced at Michael, whose eyes were sparkling, and then at her son, who was beaming with pride.
"This..." Michael's voice broke. "This is lovely, Jason."
Jason gave a shy shrug. "I am aware that our family is unique. I don't care, though. I simply adore our time together.
Lorna's heart broke and then healed as she gathered him into an embrace and held him close to her chest.
Michael silently let his tears fall on Jason's hair as he leaned in and put his arms around them both.
Michael muttered, "I love you, buddy." "So much, so much."
Jason said, "I love you too, Dad," without letting go.
Furthermore, the image was more than just a drawing at that precise moment.
It was a prayer.
A dream.
A truth told from the perspective of a youngster who had witnessed the worst but continued to have faith in the best.
The drawing served as a reminder of what was most important to Lorna and Michael.
A flawed past.
However, a love-filled present—and the bravery to construct a future, moment by moment.