Now, where was I? Oh yes. Linda and I had been best friends in high school and had married brothers just after we graduated. Frank and Mark were just a year and a half apart. As couples, we were very close and did everything together. Linda and I had each become mothers twice by the age of twenty. Because both of our families had relocated, due to our dad’s vocations, we were on our own.
As newlyweds, we needed help in many areas. You know, all the things for which you still need your mother. We received advice, suggestions and instructions often from Linda’s older, married sister, Sue. She taught us to cook, to knit and was a great source of information when we began raising little ones. She was also the most spiritual friend I’ve ever had. Wisdom and knowledge actually flowed from her. She was one of those people you listened to, intently, because she was really connected, if you know what I mean.
It was in the late eighties that Linda lost her sister, Sue and I lost a dear friend. Sues car was hit by a fast moving train at Goat’s Crossing, on her way to work. This is one of those tragedies we don’t understand. Why would the Lord take such a beautiful Christian home so early? She left behind her husband, Curtis, four children, three sisters and a couple of terrific parents, Preacher Poore and Jinky. Preacher Poore had baptized me at age thirteen and many years later, he performed the wedding ceremony for Gene and me.
You needed to know about Sue to get you to the next part of my story. Curtis Sue’s husband, was remarried saver all years later to Page. She became a new friend to all of us and we wanted Curtis to be happy. After residing close for a while they relocated to Dayton Ohio. As I mentioned before, through the years, I had been relating the “Message on the Mirror” story whenever I felt lead to do so. By this time, it had become part of me. Something kept telling me that I needed to go to Dayton Ohio and tell this story to Curtis and Page. I fought it. It seemed to me just as silly as looking for “Love” in the mirror or taking off down a country road to a church I’d never even heard of. The prodding actually became annoying so I simply gave in.
I called Page and asked if I could come for a visit. It was a big deal to me to drive out of state alone. I had never done that before. She said, “Sure, come and see us.“ So off I went. Every time I tell the story I risk the chance that the person listening will think I’m absolutely out of my mind. Yet I carry on.
I told them the whole story. When I had finished, Page excitedly announced, “Marsha, Loveland Ohio is right down the road. Let’s get in the car and go there.” Are you kidding me? There really is a Loveland Ohio. The city’s name that appeared on the back of the mirror that revealed the word I was looking for. We headed out for Loveland Ohio. I don’t remember now, how far it was from Dayton but it didn’t take us long. I’m sure the town has grown considerably since the early nineties but back then it was not that big. I remember approaching an intersection where my eyes beheld a large, I think it was concrete block, white building with bold black, block letters painted on its front. they said DONISI MIRROR COMPANY. OH MY GOSH!
Do you mean there really is a Donisi Mirror Company in a town named Loveland Ohio? I was flabbergasted! But why should I be? Some company had to manufacture that mirror. We stopped because I had to go in and talk to somebody about that business. I asked a manager who founded the company and when. I was informed that the company founder was Antonio Donisi. He started his business in the late fifties. He began drinking a bit in the early sixties and the business suffered. I was told the because a less expensive electro playing was being used that many of the mirrors were coming back. There was a concern that they might be going out of business.
Amazing! If that had not been used on the back of that mirror, I doubt very much that I would have had any reason to remove those mirrors to inspect the spot on the back.
I recently found the DONISI MIRROR COMPANY on the internet. I am happy to tell you that it is a huge, very successful, thriving company. I sincerely hope the day will come when I will share this story with someone in the Donisi family.
This was making more and more sense. I was supposed to come to Dayton so the Lord could finally get me to Loveland, Ohio. I think He wanted us to know how He could give negative situations such positive outcomes. Also, when that still small voice speaks to you, if you think it might be Him, be sure to listen and act.
The Message On The Mirror 1971-2013
