Their relocation to upstate South Carolina was (1) a better climate for my son's injuries and (2) a promised EMT job with someone he served with.
They found a nice 4 bedroom home with a swimming pool well within their means located in a nice neighborhood.
They have the usual family issues, school grades, etc. Does my heart good to see how well they are coping with life.
When my son was 16 he and I had a disagreement. He picked up a dining room chair and swung it. It didn't end well for him. The chair did break on my hard head. Fast forward to my visit. I'm sitting my over weight body on a dining room chair.
I accused him of waiting all these years to get even.
The parent in me hates to see my child dealing with the medical issues that led to his medical discharge. The father in me swells with pride watching this gutsy and courageous man keeping on keeping on. No, don't say the apple didn't fall far from the tree. I doubt I could do it.
Life isn't fair. The Army lost one of the best of the best, someone who stills wants to serve, while REMFs and Blue Falcon candidates stay in. Shit!
Certainly I can't let this much time elapse until I see them again.
4 comments:
Apple/tree.. won't say it, but I think it's not far off. Can't deny that you tried to set a good example, right?
I'm glad they're doing well. As a parent, it's such a rush to see your kid(s) taking those life lessons and difficulties and doing okay in spite of them.
Those little farmhouse chairs are crap. Got four of them with our table years and years ago. Replaced each of them at least once, then I found four really sturdy/chunky chairs at Goodwill. $8.99 each. Got them home and went to clean them up. Turned them upside down. Stamped on the bottom, 'Ethan Allen'. I bet getting hit upside the head with one of those would get your attention. :-D
The chair he swung was a thrift store purchase. Strong.
Aw. I can imagine that struggle. I am sure it is worse than I can think about because it hits you and especially him in the guts. I hope he finds peace a new thing to help him stimulate his mind. And dang it on the medical stuff. Grr. Restrictions are one thing but when your mind and body are not on the same page and then cause for an early retirement from something you love...well...shit. Lots of prayers and love sent.
He keeps busy. Always planning. Lives by, "If you are not planning, you are planning to fail".
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