As I journey to see my son across the country, I am reminded
and thankful to be visiting him once again at Thanksgiving. This will be our second Thanksgiving together
since he moved out of our apartment last August to start his bright and
exciting career. As a thankful
reflection I like to think of how our last day together ended and the special
memory that it holds for me. The
following is my recollection of the events of that day and how they have forever touched me.
This is a father’s
remembrance of his son he holds dear.
As a parent I would like to think that we all hold many
loving and happy memories of being with our children. Some of those precious moments really stand
out and we will carry them with us always.
One such memory happened between my only son/child and me near the end
of summer in 2012.
We had come to the end of a wonderful chapter in our life
together. He had recently graduated from
college and landed his first job as a civil engineer in an awesome city taking him thousands of miles from home for 18 months. He had lived with me during his last two and
half years of college so he could work a university sponsored practicum close
to our residence. The time came for us to say goodbye as he left our apartment for the last time to begin
his epic journey into the unknown, with a bright future ahead of him.
I thought I was emotionally at peace with him leaving,
knowing I would visit him and he would be making trips back home for the holidays. I walked him to his car and helped him load
the few items he would be carrying with him on the plane. We hugged and when I went to tell him I love him
and would miss him, I suddenly choked up.
I felt the tears dam up and I couldn't speak. He knew what I was feeling and held me
tighter as he was touched by my show of emotion. I finally found my voice and told him he
would be okay and that he would do well in his new job. The embrace ended and he slowly made his way
to his car. I stood waving and looking quite sad I’m sure.
What my son did next really surprised me. He had started his car and was about to drive
off, when he suddenly stopped, re-parked got out of the car and came over to
me. He did not say anything at first
he simply hugged me once again and then with heartfelt words he said, “I love you,
Dad.” I never felt closer to my son than
I did in that moment – As I reflect back I was saying goodbye to my not so
little boy whom I helped raise since he was an infant and watched as I proudly noted
the grown young man bravely stepping out in the world on his own.
Off and on that day, I cried many tears of joy, replaying
that moment over and over again. I
thought how blessed I was to be saying goodbye to my son who was leaving me for
a future loaded with unlimited potential and wonderful adventures. I paused to think of other parents who have
had to say goodbye to their children in dire circumstances and how hard it must
be for them.
My Thanksgiving wish for all of you who read this is that you will have special memories with your children to
be thankful for and if you don't I hope you create them – it is what makes a life worth living.
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