For our children
For our children - We're
learning...
That midnight call can change several lives.
We all
know what it's like to get that phone call in
the
middle of the night. This night's call was no
different.
Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on
the
red, illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight.
Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind as
I
grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" My
heart pounded, I
gripped the phone tighter and eyed my husband,
who was
now turning to face my side of the bed.
"Mama?" The
voice answered. I could hardly hear the whisper
over
the static.
But my thoughts immediately went to my
daughter.
"Mama, I know it's late. But don't . . .
don't say
anything until I finish.
And before you ask, yes, I've been drinking. I
nearly
ran off the road a few miles back and . . . And
I got
so scared. All I could think about was how it
would
hurt you if a policeman came to your door and
said I'd
been killed. I want to come home."
"I know running away was wrong. I know
you've been
worried sick. I should have called you days
ago, but I
was afraid . . . Afraid . . . "
I paused and tried to think what to say. Before
I
could go on, she continued.
"I'm pregnant, Mama. I know I shouldn't be
drinking
now especially now -- but I'm scared, Mama. So
scared!"
The voice broke again, and I bit into my lip,
feeling
my own eyes fill with moisture. I looked at my
husband, who sat silently mouthing, "Who
is it?"
I clutched the phone and stared at my husband,
seeking
guidance. "I'm here. I wouldn't hang
up," I said into
the phone.
"I should have told you, Mama. I know I
should have
told you. But when we talk, you just keep
telling me
what I should do. You read all those pamphlets
on how
to talk about sex and all, but all you do is
talk. You
don't listen to me. You never let me tell you
how I
feel. It is as if my feelings aren't important.
Because you're my mother, you think you have
all the
answers. But sometimes I don't need answers. I
just
want someone to listen."
"I'm listening," I whispered.
"You know, back there on the road, after I
got the car
under control, I started thinking about the
baby and
taking care of it. Then I saw this phone booth,
and it
was as if I could hear you preaching about how
people
shouldn't drink and drive. So I called a taxi.
I want
to come home."
"That's good, honey," I said, relief
filling my chest.
My husband came closer, sat down beside me and
laced
his fingers through mine. I knew from his touch
that
he thought I was doing and saying the right
thing.
"But, you know, I think I can drive
now."
"I know. But do this for your mama. Wait
for the taxi,
please."
I listened to the silence, fearing. When I
didn't hear
her answer, I bit into my lip and closed my
eyes.
Somehow I had to stop her from driving.
"There's the taxi now."
There was a click, and the phone went silent.
Moving
from the bed, tears forming in my eyes, I
walked out
into the hall and went to stand in my
16-year-old
daughter's room. The dark silence hung thick.
My
husband came from behind, wrapped his arms
around me
and rested his chin on the top of my head. I
wiped the
tears from my cheeks.
"We have to learn to listen," I said
to him.
He pulled me around to face him. "We'll
learn. You'll
see."
Then he took me in his arms, and I buried my
head in
his shoulder. I let him hold me for several
moments,
then I pulled back and stared at the bed. He
studied
me for a second, then asked, "Do you think
she'll ever
know she dialed the wrong number?"
I looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at
him.
"Maybe it wasn't such a wrong
number."
"Mom, Dad, what are you doing?" The
muffled young
voice came from under the covers. I walked over
to my
daughter, who now sat up staring into the
darkness.
We're practicing," I answered.
"Practicing what?" she mumbled and
laid back on the
mattress, her eyes already closed.
she whispered..."We're learning to listen
now" :)
New Page 1
TO
MY FIRST BORN...
First
borns' are very unique..
we
learn .. not to be selfish because of them,
we
learn .. to love because of them,
we
learn .. how to be good parents
because
of them
As
parents we make all of our
mistakes
with them
As
we learn to be good parents
and
yet they seem to survive!!!
It
would be great if WHEN
we
had our first born
they
came complete
with
directions for life,
to
mold and shape them
into
GREAT people
and
it would be GREAT
if
there was an instruction book
on
how to be great parents
but
somehow ....even with the mistakes,
the
trials and errors ...
they
turn out to be WONDERFUL!
and
capture our hearts
with
their smiles!
I
know ...... I believe MINE IS !!!!!!
But
some times ..
we
don't make them FEEL it
as
often as we should ..
or
as often as we would like!
THIS
is to wish my first born
all
the happiness there is,
to
find peace of mind,
to
be internally happy and content,
to
smile each day and feel
the
abundant love that
our
Lord has to give,
TO
YOU my first Born:
I
love you more than you
will
ever know !!
YOUR
happiness is my peace of mind!
YOUR
smile is my happiness!
