The Toothbrush
Is there anybody out there?
Welcome, if you can hear me.
This is the first post, and considering my nature I guess it's fitting that I want to talk about the toothbrush. The pink plastic Colgate toothbrush, still in its packaging, that I found in my brother's medicine cabinet, the toothbrush that made me cry.
I should explain. I was visiting my brother at his home during a time when his long distance girlfriend was visiting. Their easiness as a couple amazes me. It's still strange to me after all these years to see my little brother grown up and in love.
That wasn't much of an explanation, I know. Bear with me. I stood in the bathroom washing my hands, and there on the sink were two toothbrushes, side by side. It was an incredibly touching sight, probably made more touching by the joint that someone passed to me at the party earlier. I opened the medicine cabinet for whatever reason people open medicine cabinets at houses that aren't theirs, and that's when I saw the brand new toothbrush.
In my mind, there was a little story. My brother had obviously bought this toothbrush and put it in the cabinet for his girlfriend, in case she needed it. This little act of consideration brought tears to my eyes, because not only did it show my brother's tremendous tender side, but because it also showed me a vulnerability to him that I longed to protect. He's never loved a girl the way he loves this one. I don't know if he's ever had his heart broken the way that I have. I hope, hope, hope that he never does, but knowing that he might someday be as moved to tears by the sight of that brand new toothbrush as I now was made me feel... so much like a big sister. If his heart isn't broken by this girl, and they live a long and happy life together, the memory of that simple gesture will still stay with me, a memento of the consideration people give to those they truly love.
Toothbrushes. They're not just for dental hygiene anymore.
Welcome, if you can hear me.
This is the first post, and considering my nature I guess it's fitting that I want to talk about the toothbrush. The pink plastic Colgate toothbrush, still in its packaging, that I found in my brother's medicine cabinet, the toothbrush that made me cry.
I should explain. I was visiting my brother at his home during a time when his long distance girlfriend was visiting. Their easiness as a couple amazes me. It's still strange to me after all these years to see my little brother grown up and in love.
That wasn't much of an explanation, I know. Bear with me. I stood in the bathroom washing my hands, and there on the sink were two toothbrushes, side by side. It was an incredibly touching sight, probably made more touching by the joint that someone passed to me at the party earlier. I opened the medicine cabinet for whatever reason people open medicine cabinets at houses that aren't theirs, and that's when I saw the brand new toothbrush.
In my mind, there was a little story. My brother had obviously bought this toothbrush and put it in the cabinet for his girlfriend, in case she needed it. This little act of consideration brought tears to my eyes, because not only did it show my brother's tremendous tender side, but because it also showed me a vulnerability to him that I longed to protect. He's never loved a girl the way he loves this one. I don't know if he's ever had his heart broken the way that I have. I hope, hope, hope that he never does, but knowing that he might someday be as moved to tears by the sight of that brand new toothbrush as I now was made me feel... so much like a big sister. If his heart isn't broken by this girl, and they live a long and happy life together, the memory of that simple gesture will still stay with me, a memento of the consideration people give to those they truly love.
Toothbrushes. They're not just for dental hygiene anymore.
posted by Dana at 6:11 PM
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