Admiration/Apology

To the man I saw so long ago with his son.

When you met me I was a confused young man

and I didn't understand. I was hurt,chided,

and very misguided. It took me many years

to see that the examples I had been shown

were wrong. That we don't have to live that

way.

When I met you and your son I was brash,

abrasive, and completely uncouth. You and

your son were out for the evening I believe

we were waiting in a line for something. I

cannot be more specific, I was less than

sober. It was the early 90's. I guess he

smelled the alcohol, he became quite

obnoxious and made some comments about the way

I dressed and smelled. I was so out of it that

I was so out of it that I almost hit him.

You were amazingly calm with me and stepped

between us. It was only then that I realized,

had the time to see, that he was handicapped.

I think with what I know now that the boy was

probably a victim of Down's Syndrome. You

calmed him and I expertly. Then I focused on

you as a threat. You and he were wearing

matching outfits, sort of like the old time

detectives. I demanded to know why you dressed

him up and took him out in public like that.

I didn't know that I was the real weirdo. But

you were so patient.

You said,”I take him out like that and buy him

clothes like that because it makes him happy...

he's my boy.” You had your palms open towards

me. I just threw my hands up and walked away.

In the background I heard you chastise him, and

I was so polluted, physically and spiritually,

that I was happy about it.

I know now that I probably ruined a happy father

son day for you. As I look at my own boys now I

realize that he will always be that sweet little

boy for you, trapped inside himself, never able

to really grow up. I know how painful that must

be for you. As a father I can now see.

You did not waste your breath that day on some

dumb punk. I remembered. I can only hope to be

that good of a father to my own kids. You have

set an example that I will follow. I will tell

my kids about it. I hope that you and your son

are well, and you have my sincerest apologies

and belated admiration.

Wade