Sunny Days in Heaven Spiritual/Political/Philosophical Blog on the Nature of Truth and Falsehood and Heaven |
Monday, January 03, 2005 A Personal Moment of Terror I put my wife and daughter (19) on a plane to England last Saturday. They'll be in Great Britain for two weeks to sightsee. My daughter had been out the night before (New Year's Eve) with friends, and before she left I warned her to be careful on the road coming home since there will be people who have been drinking at the wheel. After she left I had a moment of terror and panic when I considered her sudden death. I saw a man unconsolable in grief for the loss of this beautiful and darling child should something terrible happen. The loss of a future so bright and joyful, accomplished and wonderful. I knew I would endure and even smile again someday, but the terror of the immediate loss gripped my stomach like a vise. Each death in Iraq of one of our soldiers is like that for someone. Each death in South Asia is like that or perhaps, often for no one because all are dead. I had forgotten how dearly I love my child. We are such a tender hearted and supportive family that our love for each other has become a kind of ordinary air we breathe, but this Christmas my daughter took her own money and bought us gifts that showed much forethought and care (and not extravagance), and it made Christmas a whole new experience and special again. She is my pride and joy, and the fact that she has come to appreciate her parents is just that much more gratifying. William Wordsworthposted by Mark Butterworth | 7:21 PM | |
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