The joys and perils of being incommunicado
Webmaster: HombrePosted by wallstreet on November 09, 2003 - 20:19 pm
|
Two weeks ago, I went to Frankfurt for a long weekend. It was the first time I went on a trip and didn't tell anyone where I was. Not family, not friends, not co-workers. After all, I was only gone Friday through Sunday, what could possibly happen that would require my immediate attention? When I logged in on Saturday afternoon, I had gone almost 48 hours without checking in. I felt like a rebel, like I was ditching school. It actually felt pretty good. I was scheduled to go to Costa Rica this weekend, leaving Friday and returning on Tuesday. I was all packed and ready to go - a car was scheduled to pick me up at 3:00pm at the office and take me to Newark for my 5:40pm flight. At 2:45pm, the receptionist interrupted me in a meeting and said a policeman was on the line for me. Thinking this must be one of my friends pulling a prank, I answered quite curtly, seeing who was busting my balls just as I was about to run out. Unfortunately it really was a policeman. Several workers who were renovating the kitchen in my parents home had discovered my father lying in the bathroom unconscious and not breathing. The cop told me where they were taking him and that I should get there quick because it looked real bad. And he told me that I should get a hold of my mother and let her know too. I made some phone calls and went downstairs. My car was right on time, but I told him there was a change in plans - we weren't going to the airport, we were going a little further west in Jersey. My father, who had been in perfect health, was dead on arrival, the aortic artery clogging and causing a massive heart attack. Instead of golfing and screwing this weekend, I was helping my shattered mother make funeral arrangements and trying to put her life back together. They had been married for 40 years and it was a real partnership. Had this occurred after I was en route to Costa Rica and I wasn't able to be there for my mother I would have never forgiven myself. Ever. Guys, sometimes the unforeseen happens. I personally will always leave a number where I can be reached. Maybe this doesn't work for some of you and that's cool. But think of the consequences. They can cause a lifetime of regret.
|
 |
Hombre Chat has been discontinued as a redundant and unnecessary chat area. The Hombre archives will remain. If you have any questions or comments you had intended for Hombre Chat and are uncertain where to post them now, please click here for our Support Request Form.