A Teachable Moment
Posted on January 9, 2008
Filed Under Relationships |
Being a long distance Dad is the most challenging part of my life. I see my daughters for a total of 9 weeks out of the year. Although it’s great to have long periods of uninterrupted time with the girls, the downside is that there are vast periods of time when I don’t see them at all. I often wonder if I am making an impact on their lives. There just never seems to be enough time.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to provide what my wife would call a “teachable moment”. Before starting the drive home from the airport, the kids and I sat awhile in the parking lot visiting. I hadn’t seen them since late August. We were all very excited, laughing and talking a mile a minute.
A car pulled up beside us a couple of spaces away. I wasn’t really paying a whole lot of attention, other than to notice that they were a young, nice looking couple. They too sat in their car, talking.
It came time to leave, and as I was backing out, the couple got out of their car. I glanced over just in time to see the young man’s wallet flip out of his pocket and onto the pavement, unnoticed. The couple had already taken several steps toward the terminal before I had a chance to roll my window down and yell.
They didn’t hear me, so I tooted the horn a couple times. The young man turned around and I pointed and shouted, “You dropped your wallet!” Maybe he thought I said “I want your wallet!” because they both just stared at me for a few moments until the man started patting his pocket.
He quickly came over to his car and retrieved his wallet, flustered. He waved gratefully, and the girl mouthed a silent, “Thank you!”
My answer to the young man and lady…..It is me who should be thanking you! Because of you I became a hero in my daughters’ eyes. My oldest said to me, “Wow Dad, that was really cool!” and the little one chimed in “Yeah, wow! That man was really happy!”
I didn’t really think a whole lot of it then, and simply said, “He would have had a hard time getting on a plane without that.” But a week later as I was bringing the kids back to the airport and wheeling their luggage across the parking lot, one of the girls said, “Remember that guy? You know, the wallet? That was really neat!”
So I guess I did make an impact this time.
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About Me
I understand step parent issues. I've been a step parent, have a step parent, and I am married to a wonderful step parent.
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