One day my mom called me on my cell phone. She never called me during the day, so I knew it had to be important.
Mom: Chris, it’s mom. Your dad’s had a heart attack.
Chris: What? How is he?
Mom: He’s not good, Chris. Not good at all. The doctor’s don’t think he’s going to make it. You should come home to see him.
Chris: Wow. OK, uh...You know, I’m not sure I can. Work is really crazy. I have a big presentation tomorrow and I might lose a big client if I don’t show up. Just keep me posted on how he‘s doing, all right?
Mom: Christopher Michael, you have been running away from your dad for nearly twenty years. I have had up to here with your attitude. He needs you now...
Chris: Mom, he doesn’t need me now. He’s NEVER needed me.
Mom: You’re wrong. He asked to see you. Come home for him.
Chris: (Pause, runs hand through hair) OK, I’ll be out as soon as I can.
When I got to the hospital, mom was at dad’s bedside. I hadn’t seen him in, what, 20 years? He looked old. And weak. He eyes were glassy. He had tubes everywhere. My mom ran across the room and hugged and kissed me. Dad just stared. Raised his hand and waved a little. Mom squeezed my hand as she walked out the door, leaving us alone.
Dad: (rough sounding voice) It’s good to see you, Chris. It‘s been too long.
Chris: Yeah.
Dad: Chris, I need to tell you something. I want you to hear me out. Are you listening,
son?
Chris: (nods head reluctantly)
Dad: I know I wasn’t the best dad when you were growing up. I wasn’t around for you like I should have been. That was wrong. And I’m sorry.
Dad: (continues) I had a stroke three years ago, Chris. I couldn’t talk or use my left hand for a week. I told your mom not to tell anyone about it, that I was just sick. But it scared me. I was really scared for the first time in my life. So your mom and I started going to church again. I figured I had to get my life in order. Son, I met Jesus in that church. The pastor showed me I needed to be forgiven of the wrong things I’d done so I could be accepted into heaven when I died. I never thought I’d be one of those ’born-again’ Christians, but I’ve never felt more free in my life!"
Chris: (letting out a lifetime of hurt) Dad, give me a break! You expect me to be happy for you because you’ve made your peace with God? You brought me all the way across the country for that? Forget it, old man. Tell it to the priest. I’m not buying it! (turns to walk out)
Dad: Chris, wait! This is about you. I know it’s hard to understand. I guess it’s crazy to think I can fix all I’ve done to you in one day. I only wanted to see you because I don‘t know if I‘ll get another chance to tell you to your face that...I’m proud of you, son. I’m really proud of you. I was so focused on work and money that I never really stopped to see how great a son you were. And are! Look at you now! Such a successful business man! Chris, I‘m sorry it took me so long to say it. And I wish I could take credit for you, but I know you’ve done it all in spite of me. And I know about it all, too.
Then, Dad pointed to the nightstand by his bed. It was a big blue scrapbook. He told me to open it and I began to look through all the pages. I was stunned - every clipping was of me! ’Newest USC grad a local star’; ’National Dynamic assistant VP is local prodigy’. Even my cover article in ’Business Times’. There must’ve been 40 pages of clippings and pictures. My life in an album.
Chris: (stunned) How did you collect all this?
Dad: Your mom found them mostly. I knew you didn’t want to talk to me but when I got a new clipping for the album, somehow I felt like I was a part of it. I really wish I could go back and make it all go away. I lost so much time.
Chris: I know, Dad. I know.
I don’t think I left his bedside after that. We talked for hours and hours. I asked him questions about things going on at work, in my life. For the first time he just sat and listened. REALLY listened. There were times when I thought he might be faking all this for some reason. But the more time we spent together, I knew. He was a changed man. I could see it in his eyes. The nurses kept coming in and yelling at me, saying I should let Dad sleep more. But the more we spent time together and talked, the stronger he became. Four days after I came, he was walking. Not long after that, they sent him home.
Needless to say, things changed drastically for me. I quit my big-time job and moved back to Arbor Springs. Everyone in San Francisco thought I was crazy to give up my career and the future I was setting up. But I had to. Dad needed me. I even went to mom and dad’s church. If my dad could change, there had to be something real in all this talk about Jesus. And I started my own consulting business, and though I don’t have nearly as much of the glamour or prestige, I consider it my greatest success. Well, my second greatest. The greatest was when I married Alicia six years ago and we had our son, C.J.
C.J.? Shoot! I forgot about the game! Listen, I gotta go! (grabs bag and begins to run off stage, then stops quickly) Wait a minute! What am I panicking for? Dad said he’d get there early to help the guys warm up. He really does a great job with the kids. I’m so proud of him. (stops to ponder that thought, a big smile comes to Chris’ face) Happy Father’s Day.
(Chris exits with bag over shoulder stage left. Lights down.)
THE END
We'll talk more about Father's Day later this week. Pray for dads. They need us.
Walk with God.
No comments:
Post a Comment