Be happy, be safe

This week, in our area, a 17 year old, who was working on his Eagle Scout badge, went to the track at his high school to work out. When he failed to come home, his father went out looking for him -- and found him -- on the track -- dead. So far, there has been nothing about foul play -- the boy had asthma, even though it was "under control". I can tell you, however, as someone with asthma, it's never really under control. I have gone months without using my inhaler, then suddenly, for no apparent reason, have needed it. Sometimes it's due to something respiratory, sometimes, there seems to be no reason at all.

But the main thing that went through my mind was this:

I have a 17 year old.

Not too long ago, a young man lost his life in a boating accident. I heard this on the radio several times but didn't connect the dots until I read his name. He was one of four Russian orphans that former neighbors had adopted. When they were young, we'd seen them become "Americanized" -- they seemed to go from barely speaking English to not being able to tell they were from Russia overnight. But an unwise decision, out on the lake, took his life.

But the main thing that went through my mind was this:

I have a twenty-two year old.

Recently, a cousin of mine, who's about the same age as I am, lost his 26 year old daughter. She had diabetes and did not take care of herself. She must have known the end could come at any time because she told her parents where she wanted to be buried. How many 26 year olds are thinking about that?

But the main thing that went through my mind was this:

I have a 24 year old.

As children grow, your worries about their well-being change but the fear of something happening to them remains. You have to let it go, to a certain extent, because they have to live their lives and you just can't wallow in worry every minute of the day. But, as a parent, those worrisome moments are always there, lurking. I suppose when I'm in my 80's and they are in their 50's, I'll still be fretting. And, I guess, that will include grandchildren by then so I'm pretty well screwed in the worry department.

But that's how it is. How it will be. You worry about those you love. And you say a prayer for them, every single day. And, sometimes, you just have to hear their voice so you'll know all is well. And you know, hearing that voice, if all isn't well. Then it's like pulling teeth to get it out of them.

Well, two out of three, anyway. The first one doesn't hold much back. The second one is sometimes forthcoming. The third one, forget it. But that one is just like me so what can I say? They are all themselves but my desire for each of them is the same:

Be happy. Be safe.

And call me.