What are you afraid of? Everything? Nothing? I’d love to know. I’m not talking about major happenings - not war, famine, storms, nor the end of chocolate as we know it.
I well remember my dad calmly saying there is nothing to be afraid of—and my thinking, if I was as big as you, I wouldn’t be afraid of anything either. On the other hand, my mother was a chubby petite and one of the bravest women I ever knew. Of course, her bravery was sometimes augmented by the small shotgun she often had close around. She didn’t miss what she aimed at, either.
Once when my brothers and I were small, Mother was driving through south Georgia , on the way to visit her sister in Jacksonville. She came to a sawhorse in the middle of the two lane highway. There was a poorly lettered Detour sign attached with an arrow pointing to a narrow dirt road. She had no choice but to take the detour. When she had driven a short way, she saw three or four rough looking men standing in the middle of the road, signaling her to pull over. Well, she gunned the motor and plowed right through them. Yes, they jumped out of the way at the last moment. When I asked what she’d have done if she’d hit one of them, she said she’d just have kept going. One woman in a car with three children must have appeared to be easy pickins’ to those jerks. They didn’t know my mother!
Truly, I think the fear of parents is for the safety of their children. Oh, yes, we may have all kinds of hopes and dreams for our kids but their physical safety is basic. With a son who was career military, I’ve only been able to sleep at night because I put him in the Lord’s care. Oddly enough, the computer helped me during this last deployment to Iraq. While he didn’t have time for long letters, just a one sentence -” I’m fine” - e mail kept me sane -- and able to sleep at least a little. Also, it was good that Dee and I were already living together during that time. I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d still been living alone.
Honestly, I don’t know how my poor mother in law managed to exist with her two oldest sons serving during World War II. At least her husband was still living then. But mail was so often very long in coming plus much – or most- that they could not share. No, my son did not share everything either but we knew where he was and he could receive our boxes and email. I mostly just sent funnies to him. One night, when I could not sleep, maybe three a.m., I sent a cute joke. I got an immediate rather stern reply: “Mom, what are you doing up this time of night? I am fine. Now please go back to bed and get some rest.” I had to laugh, guess he knew me too well.
As we get older, we learn to separate feelings of actual fear from just dislike. I’ve known several people who seemed to actually fear gaining a pound or two. I truly despise snakes, even tiny ones, but I don’t fear them to the extent that I used to. One person I know has a pure dislike of palmetto bugs but I don’t think she really fears them.
I believe I do have some fear about the direction this country is taking but I am encouraged to learn that I am not alone. Lots of people - younger, stronger, much more able than I am - are trying to work out solutions. For awhile, I was afraid that just folks in my general age group were concerned but I am learning different. I’m thrilled to see people the ages of my children who are standing for public office. Yes, even younger folks too and many have wonderful, concrete values that we can be proud of.
Yesterday, I told Dee about a person running for president, who is two months younger that she is. She was horrified! “A guy my age is too young to be president.” I had to giggle because a guy my age is too darn old to be president!
Remember the story about President Lyndon Johnson having a phone installed in the private bathroom of one of his aides? He said the ship of state could not be held up while Mr. Blank ran to the bathroom every few minutes. I suspect the language was more colorful but you get the point. Hmmm, wonder how old that fellow was.
Fear of flying is one we often used to hear about, but these days it is more the aggravation of flying that deters some folks. I don’t like traveling over high bridges and usually close my eyes until we are on level ground again. However, I have learned that if I am driving, I have much less (or no) fear. Some people are frightened to speak or perform before a group but I enjoy it--- just a ham at heart, I suppose.
Hey, in 25 words or less, tell me what you are afraid of. Just one word is OK - like, may- be, oooh --- clowns or turtles -- You don’t even have to sign your name …….
[Note from Dee: I am afraid of kangaroos.]
0 comments:
Post a Comment