I have known for some time that, in moments of need and crisis, Tricia and I can count on Sean and Eric to come through. They have done so. Again and again, they have done so.
Yet no matter how long I have known, I still experience a thrill of elation each time it happens. It did so again yesterday.
My mother is hospitalized following surgery on a broken hip. She faces another couple days in the hospital, then a couple weeks of rehabilitation. My stepfather and aunt provide her support network. They have told us again and again that no one needs to come.
I believe that they mean that. But as I thought about what they face – traveling to the hospital, keeping their places clean, buying groceries and other supplies, shoveling snow should that come, caring for my mother, and caring for themselves, it became clear to me that, no matter what they say, they could use some help.
And as I thought about who might provide that help, I thought of Eric. He graduated in December and currently is among the many seeking a job. He has some options, but nothing definite yet. For a while he had stayed in Cleveland; ten days or so ago he went back to Bowling Green where he has an apartment through the summer. He could go to Pennsylvania, I realized. He could provide “young legs on the ground.”
I talked over the idea with Tricia who agreed. I then tried to call my aunt. She did not answer and she has not set up her phone for voice mail. I then called Eric. He did not answer, but he does have his phone set to receive voice mail. I asked him to call me back.
A short time later, Eric called. I explained my idea.
He took all of about 2.41 seconds to think before he said, “I could do that.” We talked about what it would look like and when he could get to Pennsylvania. I said I needed to talk to my aunt and I would get back to him when I did.
After hanging up with Eric, I called her again. She answered. I said I thought Eric should visit for a while – an indefinite period at this point. She agreed.
Today, Eric drove from Bowling Green to Cleveland. Tomorrow, he plans to head to Pennsylvania. Young legs on the ground.
I have known for some time that, in moments of need and crisis, Tricia and I can count on Sean and Eric to come through. Yet no matter how long I have known, I still experience a thrill of elation each time they do. Eric did so yesterday. Sean will do so when his turn comes.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 