Tim had only been away at college for two weeks and I was already missing him. Don’t get me wrong. I was happy he was at school, glad to hear about the classes he was taking, glad to know that he was studying hard and having fun with his friends.
But I’d gotten used to having him around this summer—home on weekends from his job as a camp counselor. And we’d especially had a good time at the beach when we were both on vacation. How could I tell him I was thinking of him?
Then I remembered how he would always ask me when we were home or at the beach or standing in line to see a movie or shopping at Target, “Dad, can I borrow your Chapstick?” I’d dig into my pocket and hand it over. And he’d return it. Father/son sharing.
At that thought I dashed out the door to the drugstore on the corner. I bought two Chapsticks, scribbled a quick note and sent it off to his school. At least he’d be surprised there was some mail for him.
A couple of days later I got an email back: “I just wanted to say thank you for the Chapstick, Dad. It was really very sweet. That little package brought a lot of joy to my day. Love, Tim.”
Guess what brought joy to my day?
Rick Hamlin is the executive editor at GUIDEPOSTS.
