Denzler: Caught off guard by a proud moment

Frank Denzler

As far as this writer is concerned there is no greater gift than that of being a parent. The opportunity to bring a child into the world and all that goes along with the growing process is the most wonderful gift of all. Perhaps that is why I take it personally when I read or hear that a parent has forced a toddler to fend for themselves by eating day-old garbage from a trash can, called the back seat of car home or is allowed to sneak unattended out a door in a diaper in frigid temperatures as was the case earlier this year in Marion County.

I also find it difficult to come to terms with parents whose teenagers are allowed to wander the streets not knowing where their next meal or warm night’s sleep may be found.

The decision to become a parent comes with choices — choices that may not be understood by younger individuals for years. It has been my finding that no matter how trying some parental decisions and moments may be, witnessing a smile on a child’s face on Christmas morning, being given a hug, a firm handshake by a young adult as they leave for college or simply being told goodnight before another day comes to an end are great rewards.

With that in mind I wish to pass along a quote from Ecclesiastes: “Generations come and go but it makes no difference. The sun rises and sets and hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south and north, here and there. Twisting back and forth, getting nowhere. The rivers run into the sea but the sea is never full, and the water returns again to the rivers and flows again to the seas ... Everything is unutterably weary and tiresome. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied; no matter how much we hear, we are not content, so I saw that there is nothing better for men than that they should be happy in their work. For that is what they are here for, and no one can bring them back to life to enjoy what they will be in the future, so let them enjoy it now.”

With that thought, my youngest son, a boy of 18, left home two years ago in pursuit of his future, that of a United States Marine.

Prior to last year and aside from an annual vacation to visit his grandparents he had rarely been away from home for more than a night’s stay at a friend’s house.

Following boot camp in southern California last spring, he returned home for a brief stop before beginning the next chapter of his military career and life — a journey that took him to Japan for the past 14 months.

We have kept in touch via infrequent phone calls and through e-mails in the months he has been away. Although fine to a degree, those impersonal connections are not the same as having a son home in the same house, knowing that he is safe and out of harm’s way.

Late last week I received an early morning phone call from my son. The 13-hour time difference between Japan and Indiana has made it difficult for us to connect in a timely fashion that is acceptable to both of our schedules. So generally, one of us is just awaking or going to sleep when the call arrives.

Following a brief catch up on what we both have been doing I asked if he had given any thought to being home for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Following a long pause he informed me that he didn’t think he would be able to be home this year, although maybe he could be back for Easter in the spring. A short while later I uttered, “I love you and I miss you. More importantly, I am very proud of you,” before I said good-bye. As the silence hung in the air from the phone I prepared to begin my day.

Later that same day I was at the American Legion in Shelbyville, and much to my surprise my son came walking through the door shortly after 11 p.m. To say I was shocked or caught off guard would be an understatement. I could have been knocked over with a feather. A handshake turned into a hug and a round of applause from those in attendance. My son was home and gave his father the best present imaginable.

I have always considered Thanksgiving my favorite holiday; now I have another reason to be thankful.

Incidentally, my son informed me that he really enjoys his decision to enlist in the service and said that when he gets out he still wants to become a teacher working with challenged children.

As I went to sleep during the early hours of Sunday morning, my final thought was it is great that Chad has a passion for the path he has chosen to walk during this stage of his life and how fortunate I am to have a son who has put freedom for many first in his life.

My son left as a teenage boy and returned as a young man.



Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.

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