“Dad, I was in an accident…”  As I listened to my son’s voice cracking, holding back tears, a thousand thoughts shot through my mind, none of them very encouraging… many of them more like prayers than thoughts.  It was 6:15 am, and Zach had just left the house to drive to school a few minutes ago.  What had happened?  My racing thoughts came back into focus in time to hear him say, “I’m ok.  I’m not hurt…” and then he could no longer hold back his tears and it was my turn to try and hold back mine.

MOMENTS COUNT

This story has a happy ending and my son is fine.  His car is a total loss, but that was the only thing damaged.  As I write this, I know that some of you who are reading may have also once received such a phone call, and you may not have had as fortunate a result.  If that is your story my heart goes out to you.  While I cannot begin to fathom the pain of your loss, I can, for a moment, understand the sheer fear of uncertainty in that horrible second when you are forced to wonder “is my child ok?”

THE HUMAN CONDITION

As human beings, we take risks every day.  We get in trains, planes and automobiles.  We eat things that may get us sick.  We don’t always pay attention when we should be careful.  As parents, the personal risks we may take are compounded by the simple, ever-present knowledge that our children are also human, and also take risks.  With three children of driving age, fear of the “accident” phone call is something that is always gnawing away somewhere deep inside me, and I realize how lucky we are that when it did just rear it’s ugly head, it did so without any serious consequences.  However, I am once again reminded how important it is to love and appreciate our children and make sure they know it, always, and all the time.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Nobody knows what is next.  We all know what is now.  Make the most of it.  We live in a world where guns go off, planes fall from the sky and accidents happen.  I realize how lucky my son and my family are, and how a very slight twist of fate might have caused a much worse outcome.

I gave my son a big hug.  You should do the same with your kids.  Just because…

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 20, Ethan, 18 and Olivia, 17).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab.