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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: OVERSEAS VACATION (08/13/15)
Dear Son,

I know you probably don’t want to hear from me. But I remember when your mom planted that red maple, and it wasn’t no taller than your three year old self. I remember watching you water that thing and seeing it grow year after year. I guess what I’m saying is I remember how good a boy you are, and I just can’t let you go.

You’re a son too good for a man like me and there’s only one thing you deserve that I can give. The truth.

The truth is I’m a terrible father and a worse husband. Ten years back my drinking went from casual to chronic. I saw the sunrise and the sunset through the bottom of a glass. Those were the good days.

But son, sin is only fun for a season. Now, that’s more than a verse from the good book. It’s my life.

Drinking turned me toward drugs, and drugs turned me into a different man. I cheated on your mom more times than I can remember. She didn’t deserve that, and I don’t deserve y’all.

I know it must have broke your heart when you realized I wasn’t coming back, but when they took the house and the car, I couldn’t face you. Even with your mom sick like she was.

I wish the cocaine would’ve done the job on me. The man I used to be is dead, but still life holds on to me like a sickness.

I don’t expect you to read this really, but I hope you know I’m sorry son.

I’m sorry,
Dad

* * *

Dear Son,

It’s been over a year since my letter and I need you to know something. A couple months back I was headed to the bar when I walked past a church. It was something strange about it and the thought came to me, ‘Being in a church is better than being in a bar.’ I know that’s simple stuff, but it made sense to me.

I wandered in and hunkered down in the back. Everything the preacher said was right for me. He said there was a lady in the Bible that wasn’t worth much as far as everyone else was concerned, but she took the most valuable thing she had and poured it on Jesus’ feet. He asked if anyone in the church had placed value in the things of the world, and then he asked if we wanted to lay them at Jesus’ feet.

I knew Jesus was talking to me. I walked up to the front of that church and laid my cocaine right on the alter. And I left my drinking and my cheating there too.

Son, that man I used to be is dead and I’m a new man in Jesus’. I took leave of myself across the sea of forgetfulness and I ain’t never going back.

I’m more alive now than I ever been and I’m coming home to you real soon.

Love you,
Dad

PS- Give this check to your mom. It’s not all the child support, but it’s a good chunk of it. Maybe you can help her plant another red maple.

* * *

Dear Dad,

I know this letter is only going in the ground with your body, but I know too that you can read it from where you are in God’s country.

I was sad I didn’t get to see you before you died. The doctor said your heart was a ticking time bomb. But when the attack came you went fast.

I want you to know that Pappy started taking me to church a while back when the leaves still hung red on mom’s maple. And the Sunday before I got your letter I asked Jesus into my life.

He helped me forgive you for all you done to Mom. Still, I’m sorry I didn’t forgive you sooner. But this one thing I do, ‘forgetting what lies behind me, and straining toward what is ahead. I press on to obtain the heavenly prize which God through Christ Jesus is calling me.’

I will see you again, and there won’t be a tear on my face or sorrow in my heart.

It’s funny. Even though we didn’t get to say it face to face, God let us find peace with each other before he took you.

You rest easy now.

With love,
From one proud son

PS- Tell Mom her maple’s growing real nice and tall.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Pat Small
08/21/15
An interesting take, and great story. Does it truly fit the topic? Not sure about that. I think all the grammatical errors were meant to give depth to the MC, so won't correct those.