Unthinkable Fates

I can vividly recall the moment it occurred. I can recite in my mind each particular word. We were hanging around by the locker room door, to congratulate the team for winning once more. It was a tournament game with a large rowdy crowd. The fans had been cheering especially loud. Caught up in excitement for a moment or two, I reveled in victory with friends that I knew. Then suddenly I realized my hands dangled free. He was no longer there, anywhere I could see. I looked all around and called out his name. I sternly demanded, “Stop playing this game!” I searched through the building, raced down the hall. I heard no response to my heart-wrenching call. I ran through the gym, then out past the gates. I fought off the fears of unthinkable fates. Panic ensued as I questioned everyone. “Have you seen my boy? Have you seen my son?” I tried to hold back but the thought entered in, what if I never get to see him again? My anguish was causing my body to shake, as thoughts turned to desperate measures to take. A feeling I’d never confronted before, I fell to my knees, right there on the floor. I yelled out, “God please, don’t take him away!” Tears filled my eyes as I knelt there to pray. That’s when I saw him come running down the hall. Every possible emotion, I’d been through them all. An answer to prayer on his jubilant face. He jumped in my arms, a welcomed embrace! “Dad, what’s the matter? I said I’d be back. Grandpa was showing me his new Cadillac.” I still don’t remember him telling me that. But, I’ll never forget what I had to combat. The thing that I learned from facing my fear, was don’t take for granted he’ll always be here.