We wait for the phone to ring.
Every Sunday.
For the obligatory college briefing call.
(As long as you feed from the trough, you’ll call home on Sunday. Non-negotiable.)
Rachel jabbering. Eric tight lipped…leaking information on a need-to-know basis.
Not last night.
Big day for me on Tuesday Dad.
I forgot it’s his 20th birthday.
You forgot right?
Of course not.
Of course you did.
You know that I’m leaving for El Salvador on Saturday.
I’ll be taking vitals…blood pressure, temperature…and recording it.
Dad, I’ve been told there will be thousands, all waiting for medical care.
We’ll be readying patients for the doctors and dentists.
And then feeding homeless at night.
I’m dressing for work this morning.
I check the weather app. -5° F with wind chill.
How many children are huddled and shivering in the cold? Hungry. A soda can and not much else in the fridge for breakfast. Not in El Salvador. Here. Right here.
I shudder.
I reach for a t-shirt. Folded. Stacked. Clean. White.
I’m drawn to the label. I squint to read the small print.
XL 100% Pima Cotton. Machine wash warm with like colors. Only non-chlorine bleach if needed. Tumble Dry Low. Warm Iron if needed. Made in Bangladesh.
Made in Bangladesh.
Image Credit
Live & Learn 
OMG, what a world we live in, huh??? I love that you touch upon these moments of shocking and total awareness, David. Eric is going to El Salvador? And he’s 20 this month? My youngest is also 20 this month. Anyway, did I miss a post about Eric and El Salvador somewhere??? You and your kids…I love every word I read about your children.
LikeLike
Awwwwww, thank you Carol. I do hold a few things back and not share on the blog. 🙂 20/20, your youngest is 20. You look far too young to have a 20 year old!
LikeLike
Great post.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Poignant.
LikeLike
Thank you Teela.
LikeLike
Worlds apart.
LikeLike
Galaxies almost.
LikeLike
isn’t it amazing how the universe puts us in situations to have epiphanies when and how we least expect them? suddenly in a moment, things shift a bit, and we see things in a whole new way. loved this post, david.
LikeLike
That’s exactly how it hit me. Exactly Beth. A moment. Same moment every working day. And our subconsciousness forces us to be aware on this given moment and an epiphany. You nailed it Beth. That’s exactly how that moment hit me.
LikeLike
David touching post. I remember when all of my children did missionary work in abroad… they grew in ways that I could never imagine.
LikeLike
Thank you Tina. I’m so looking forward to hearing about his experience. One of life’s defining moments I suspect.
LikeLike
When being worlds apart hits home. Compelling. Thanks, Dave!
LikeLike
Exactly. Thank you Joel.
LikeLike
David – always love your slice of life writings and your style of presenting your personal writing. Keep it coming.
Wow on son to El Salvador. All the best to him. My wife was born there and came to USA as a teenager. I visited El Salvador about 10 years ago – good trip for the family. From what I pick up your son will do good there. Blessed.
– Michael
LikeLike
Awwwwww, thanks so much Michael. And love the El Salvador connection to your other half. Small world….thank you again.
LikeLike
A new experience for Eric, and a revelation for you as well, all captured beautifully in this piece. Our world is growing smaller every day, and the intersections can astound. Very nice, pal….
LikeLike
Thank you Lori. It really is growing smaller. And you state,the intersections and connections, are eye-opening.
LikeLike
Have I mentioned that I think you have two awesome kids that you should just be so proud of words can’t do them justice? Way to go Eric (you didn’t really forget his b’day did you?)! This world of ours – so large and so small; so full of goodness and rife with hideousness. And when I read about the people who are inclined to walk the talk, as Eric is doing, I nod and think ‘yes – goodness will out’.
LikeLike
So true Mimi. We spoke to him today. He’s so excited about the trip. All goodness. Yes, it is.
LikeLike
You and Susan did good pal.
LikeLike
Thank you. We did.
On Wed, Mar 5, 2014 at 5:34 AM, lead.learn.live. wrote:
>
LikeLike
I am so hopeful for the future! Way to go, Proud Papa!!
LikeLike
Me too! Thanks Carolann.
LikeLike
goosebumps. amazing men create amazing men.
LikeLike
Awwwww, thank you Vicki.
LikeLike
Great post, David. The Sunday briefing call is a good habit…and it sits in for the longest time…I’m a few years (hmm) out of college and still call my dad every Sunday. The El Salvador trip sounds great too.
LikeLike
Ahhhhh, good for you Tiny. I’ve never been to El Salvador. He is looking forward to the trip and the experience.
LikeLike