A few years ago my dad asked me if I would help him move. He needed me to take the bus to where he lived so that I could drive the U-Haul. I lived at the half way point between his old place and new one. My grandparents lived about 15 miles from my home. On the way to the new place, my dad stopped for the night at my grandparents while I went on to my house, planning to meet up in the morning for the rest of the trip.
The next morning I called out here to meet my dad and see my grandpa, who was very ill. I wanted to say bye before we left; we were very close. My dad insisted on meeting at my house because it would be a waste of time and almost 30 miles out of the way for me to meet him at my grandparent’s place. I gave in reluctantly and we were on our way.
I had the U-Haul unloaded by 4:30 that afternoon. My dad asked me if I wanted to stay the night and he would take me home in the morning. I told him no that we needed to get going now. He said, “OK, let me eat and the we’ll go.” After we got going, for most of the trip I keep telling my dad that we needed to hurry up. He would tell me he was going as fast as he legally could.
At about 10:00 that night we were still a couple hours from my grandparents house, I told my dad he could slow down now. He asked me why so I told him it was too late. He wanted to know what I meant by that. I just told him again that it was too late. I didn’t say much of anything the rest of the trip.
We pulled into my grandparents house just after midnight. The place was all lit up and someone else’s car was in the driveway. My dad went in and I stayed outside. When my dad came out I told him, “I already know; you don’t have to say anything.”
I asked him if it happened around 10:00 and he said, “Yes. So that’s what you meant.”
I had a very good relationship with my grandpa and did not get to say good-bye in the way we were accustomed. I knew in my heart that I needed to go out there that morning but it had become a time and distance issue.
If you have the opportunity to see your family, take it. So what if it is a few miles out of your way or if it takes a few extra minutes. It might be your last chance.
(Author Unknown) Submitted by Richard