Saturday, February 5, 2011

Burning daylight or Not the worst, not the best.

It is a little foggy and overcast this saturday morning, I think I'm in Dupont Center. At least that is where the last road sign said. I am at the crossroad of US1 and 206. I have had my coffee and still need brush my teeth before we make our run into St. Augustine. Before I do...
I called my son Ethan last night who is staying with friends in Tennessee awaiting the arrival of his passport. He has decided he is going to travel across Europe like so many young people do while he is still young and has, as he says, only one responsibility - "To stay alive." He walked with me last year thru seven states while we promoted Diabetes awareness. When he came with me he was a little angry like a lot of nineteen year old kids are but by the time we crossed the last roads into Acadia National Park by Bar Harbor Maine he was in a much better frame of mind. We had some close moments during our three months of constant contact though at times I had wished I hadn't let him us the Walkman radio/cassette which stymied our sharing some moments because he kept the volume to a buzz you could hear ten feet away in loud traffic. When I spoke to him last night and in recent conversations I can tell he is calmer, not angry, and a moderator in the situations with his friends rather than the problem. This makes me proud. I made many mistakes in my life and some were while raising my son. Sure parents may have hopes for their children and some of those may not come to pass but for the lot he drew in this world I am proud.
Now I am off to greet the new day, closer to the time I can hug my boy...
Kahill Gibran wrote of Children-

..." You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth... Let your bending in the archers hand be for gladness; for even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."

2 comments:

Billy said...

I'm inspired my friend, hope to see you again

Anonymous said...

I met Erik today in St. Augustine, he and Nice were heading north on US1. I had to stop and ask why this man and dog were walking with this large ball of the world. In my soul I knew it was for something good and inspiring. I thank Erik for what he is doing for Diabetes Awareness. Sometimes it only take one to bring awareness to the world. God Bless you Erik and Nice.