Purple Heart

A few months ago our family received the dreadful news that our son was involved in an attack in Afghanistan. A roadside bomb struck his vehicle.  Information on the attack crawled from Middle East adding to the stress to the nightmarish event. While waiting for news, the family retold funny tales of my son’s……adventures.  Here is one of those tales.

A few year’s ago, my son acquired a job at my place of work.  He had a handicap. He was work challenged. He started and quit many jobs. I hoped this job would be different considering my reputation was bonded to his work ethic.  What could go wrong?

At home I received a call from work from my boss, Gerald.  In a sorrowful voice he said,  “I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. Where do we need to send the flowers?”

Surprised I answered, “My mom!  I did not know my mother died! I need to make phone calls!” 

In a panic I made my first phone call, “Hello mom. I am glad to hear your voice! You are OK!  You are not dead!  I received a call from work saying my mom had passed. I have to make another call…….see you later!”

The second call was to my mother-in-law, “Hello, you are there! I received a call from work saying you might be dead!  I have to make another call. Goodbye for now!”

I returned the call to work, “My mothers are OK! They are living!  What? My son stated his grandmother died and he needed time from work?”

At that moment the puzzle came together. My son needed time from work. A grandparent was the prefect relative for his scheme. They are not too close but close enough for fake bereavement. Some people loss dozens of grandparents.

Highly frustrated, I called my son, “Where in the heck are you….the lake…THE LAKE! You are supposed to at work or a funeral. NOT THE LAKE!” 

It is funny how life flows.  Sometimes children are the cause of endless stress.  Yet occasionally, they do things which are amazing.