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A Map Home

I forgot to tell my daughter how to get home. 

The plan was to drop her off at Heidi's, when I picked Heidi up for the shower.  She would watch Heidi's kids until Heidi's inlaws could get there, and they would bring her home.  Only Heidi's inlaws didn't know how to get to our home.  And neither did she.

Poor Lindsay.  At the end of the driveway, Heidi's father-in-law said, "Which way?"  In surprise, Lindsay responded, "Oh!  I'm... not really good at directions."  For the eleven years of her life she's been riding around looking out windows with no thought of how the roads lead toward home.  She only knows that eventually she gets there.  Only, now she wasn't so sure she ever would.

They picked a direction and drove, looking for something that would jog her memory.  A familiar corner?  A recognizable business?  A street?  A sign?  A hint?  Nope.  None.  For an HOUR they continued on this aimless trajectory. (This has to be one of the most patient men ever created by God.)  Then she saw it.  The high school!  Shining in all of its glory.  She had her ticket home.  (We drive to and from the high school most every night for swim practice.)

Oh, how I wish I had drawn her a map.  I felt so incredibly inconsiderate!  I felt totally responsible!  I had wasted a stranger's Saturday afternoon, and my daughter's confidence. 

I'm sure there will be other times that I forget to draw her a map.  No parent maps out every situation that her daughter will encounter with painstaking perfection.  But if she's to go out into the world, I must fervently teach her how to get home.  Home to the support and advice and perspective and love that only parents can give.  Home base is where tears can be loosed, guards let down, and feelings exposed.  Home is where we can put it all together again.  Lord, please keep her coming home. 

Comments

Shannon said:

Jenn, yes, only 5 minutes.  :(

You are not the only one who was just like Lindsay.  After years of practice, I never ever did master getting to the VanDyke's house without getting lost.  This is ONE trait that I wish I hadn't passed down...

# February 4, 2010 3:42 PM

Heidi V. said:

See?  Good things come from everything.  If this had never happened, you wouldn't have such good material to work with!

My kids enjoyed the small amount of time they had with Lindsay.  Too bad her babysitting experience lasted a shorter time than the ride home.  :)

Love you guys!!!

# February 4, 2010 5:46 PM

Shannon said:

Heidi, may the babysitting be longer and the rides be shorter next time.  :)  

What's ironic is how GREAT a planner you are!  We had this thing mapped out weeks ago.  Mapped out without the map.  :(

We love you, too!

# February 4, 2010 5:52 PM

Jackie said:

Shannon--

Glad to hear the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Your getting lost episodes were legendary.  ("Doesn't that sign say Newago, Shannon?  I wonder if we missed an exit?!?") Thankful we know the true Guide.

# February 5, 2010 6:49 AM

Shannon said:

Jackie, I'm glad that your relationship with John wasn't contingent on me providing you rides to his house.  Wouldn't life have been easier if we had Garmins back then?  But, not nearly as eventful or hillarious, either! I could write a whole new mini series of "LOST". :)

# February 5, 2010 9:03 AM

Ken said:

I took two wrong turns on my way back from Lindsay's swim meet today.  Like father, like daughter.

# February 6, 2010 1:31 PM

Shannon said:

That's okay, Honey.  I still take full genetic responsibility for her lost-like tendancies.  We'll get her a GPS for graduation.  :)

# February 8, 2010 6:19 AM
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