[Flying Dutchman]

I got a call tonight at 1:30 in the morning. Not the normal kind of call, and definitely not one any parent wishes to receive. I got a call from an officer to come pick up my 17 year old son. He was at a party and had been drinking. If I came to pick him up he would not be arrested. I told the officer I was on my way and thanked him for calling me.
While Dodge City is not the biggest of towns, the drive was quite long. He was up past the hospital, I live in the farthest area in the southwest part of town. While driving to get him, many memories came flooding to me. I remembered the calls my mother got from me when I was a teenager, to come get me because I had been drinking. I remembered the call to go get my daughter when she ran away from home. I remembered the talk I just had with my son last weekend about how proud I was with him because he was doing so well in things. I remembered I was a father.
I pulled up and was met by the officer. My son stood beside him, his head hung down in shame, grasping a ticket in his hand. I opened the car door for him and buckled him in. His eyes caught mine and he quickly turned them away. The officer told me that my son was very respectful, did not try to run away like most of the other kids did, and asked to be arrested because he deserved it. The officer then asked me to not be to hard on him. I thanked him again (we know each other) and assured him there would be no scars.
I asked my son where his car was, and he gave me directions to it. He locked it up for the night and I drove him home. He was very quiet during the drive, only saying he was sorry. I told him things will be ok and drove on in silence, listening to the wind blowing through my open window.
When we got home I again opened his door for him. His head was still hung low as we walked to the door. As he started to go downstairs to his room I stopped him. I took his chin in my hand and held his head up. I placed my arms around him and hugged him as hard as I could, holding him close to me. “I love you very much. I am glad you are ok.” I said in his ear. He cried into my shoulder as I held him and embraced me like he was afraid to let go. I do not know how long we stood there, nor did I care. I told him to go get some sleep, we will talk in the morning, and watched as he went down the stairs.


While he will get punished for doing this, nothing to harsh but harsh enough to get the point across, I can’t help but be thankful. It could have turned out so much worse. He could have tried to run, he could have got behind the wheel of a car (he was drunk), he could have got into a car with other kids who had been drinking…I could have received the call to come to the hospital…or to identify a body. A mistake was made but it did not turn out to be the last one he will ever make.

I guess I am writing this so that all of you who have children, regardless of their age, will take a moment to cherish the gift you have been given. To take their face in your hands, gaze deep into their eyes, and tell them how much you love them. Remind them that no matter what, no matter how bad things seem…your love for them never changes, never dims, will never go away. Be thankful for what you have, I know that I am.