Page 13 - LIfesOuttakes4

about three to four years. I considered that my daughter

would be into college by then, past those trying high school

years, and I could not buy that time back for any amount of

money. I again thanked him for his offer, but told him I

still could not accept.

In some ways, it was hard to let the opportunity pass,

but as I discussed it with my wife, she encouragingly told

me I had made the right decision. I told her I thought so as

well, but felt maybe our daughter might wish I had

accepted it so I wouldn’t be there to bother her. I decided

to talk to the children about it. When I told them about the

money we could have, the older ones, who understood,

became excited. But when I mentioned being gone a lot,

they suddenly became very quiet. Finally, my daughter,

whom I thought would be glad to have me gone, spoke up.

“Well, that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! We

need you here! You did tell him no, didn’t you?!”

I nodded, and she continued. “Then why are we even

discussing it? It’s just not an option! Case closed!”

My heart trembled with emotion as I realized that no

matter how much my daughter and I struggled to see eye to

eye, she still needed, and even wanted, her father home.

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