by Theodore Telepak

Created on: June 29, 2008

"Mirrors of Intimacy"

"Now we see indistinctly as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. My knowledge is imperfect now; then I shall know even as I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

What do our sons and daughters see when they look at themselves in the mirror?

One day, the stubble of new, but recognizable, mustache and beard hair will begin to unexpectedly grace the morning faces of our sons; our little boys find themselves strangely looking more like young men. Admiration of new muscle definition fills the mirror of body builder poses. Sons are mistaken on the phone for sounding like their fathers. Growth spurts push "Junior", long and lanky, towering over Mom, especially when searching through the highest shelves of kitchen pantry or fridge scavenger' hunts. Previously disheveled in appearance, these rough and ready' action figures have taken on a more polished look'. They once could care less about the knight in shining armor' who road off into the sunset with the rescued damsel who was once in distress. When did they pass through this rite of passage' becoming knighted' and wanting of such princesses'?

One day, our little girls, who once played dress up' for hours in mommy's clothes, will seemingly, spend just as much time or more in front of a mirror. Hair will be curled, flattened, teased, and jelled. Clothing mixed, matched, and color-coordinated with nail polish. Eyes and eyebrows, lips and lush, made up with make-up. Why? To want and be wanted? To look and feel beautiful? Why? Because bedtime fairy tales, love stories, movies, and songs remind them again and again that "one day, your prince will come."

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" This question is no longer posed from Disney princess characters like Snow White, but from the Sleeping Beauty' who can be found in any girl and every daughter. One day, each girl awakens to new feelings and begins to discover hidden and deep recesses in her heart which she never knew were there. She finds herself experiencing, perhaps for the first time, the rush of unfamiliar and strange startling feelings. She begins to have desires that are no longer of a girl, but now of a young woman wanting intimacy.

Who will fill that special place in my heart with love? Who is capable of giving and receiving such love? Is there a prince? Will I recognize him? Will he recognize me? Will he come?

How will I ever know true love?

Can the answers to these questions, and the deepest desires of our hearts, be

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