a father's lesson

one night, i was dropped off at home after a long night of babysitting and i noticed that our lawn looked a little funny.

as i got out of the car, i realized that someone had driven through out grass,

leaving deep tire tracks across the entire lawn.

i ran inside so upset at those who would do that to us.

my dad called the cops only to file a report, not expecting anything to be done or found out.

a short time later, a knock came and my parents went to answer it. 

there on our porch was an officer with three older high school boys all looking at their shoes,

tears in their eyes.

the officer explained that after getting his call, he felt he should drive around our neighborhood. 

there he found these boys,

washing clumps of grass + dirt off their cars at 11:30 at night.

he explained that we could press charges that would affect each of these boys,

especially one of them who had a scholarship on the line.

one began to cry, realizing their drive was about to have consequences they didn't foresee.

i watched all this from cracked blinds, hiding in the office that adjourned the front door.

i was so mad that strangers would do this to us.

i wanted them punished, they had ruined our front yard.

i was positive my dad was too + would punished them.

he quietly looked at each boy + said something i'll never forget,

simply,

"i forgive you, there is no need for me to press charges." 

there was a moment of silence, even the officer was shocked, he asked,

"are you sure? they're ruined your yard."

my dad, still looking at the boys told them,

"there isn't anything they've done that can't be fixed, come tomorrow + we will reseed."

i remember the boys giving my father hugs, thanking him over and over again for his forgiveness.

they came that next day too, for the next month they all came by until the grass had grown back

+ our yard looked normal again.

i sure hope those boys learned a valuable lesson, 

but if they hadn't, i sure had.

i remember watching my dad through those blinds,

SO sure that he would punish them, but he didn't.

my father taught me compassion in no better way that night.

he has taught me life through his struggle, his pains + his lessons.

he taught me to l o v e the outdoors + to always know a little about everything.

he gives me practical gifts, like waffle makers + sleeping bags.

he is my earthly father + i love his so dearly.

happy fathers day dad.

thanks for the lessons i learned even if you didn't know i learned them.

ps.

you still sleep like this

a father's lesson