Driving home from Antigo yesterday I recalled the phone call which started us down this river that never ends:
Person calling: Mr. Meyer, I'm calling from the Dane County Sheriff's Department, North East Precinct. Do you have a son-- Aaron Meyer?
Me: (Proudly) Yes I do.
What if I had not answered the call? If I never let the man deliver his news, maybe the tragedy never happens. Does he move on to call the Father of another son, never to come back to me?
In about 1990 I saw and heard a lady in my office unsuspectingly answer a call in a polite, business manner "Hello, this is Karen." The caller asked Karen a question to identify her and then delivered his message. Her young daughter would be about 37 or 38 now.
In 1997 my sister and her husband took a call at about midnight. Their 15 year old son won't turn 24 this year.
Imagine the calls made around the country every day. I'd like to believe that the tragedy may pass on if the caller is unable to reach you. I knew of these calls and I know I never wanted to receive one. I'm positive I'd not want to make the call. I have mercy for the men and women who's job it is to change the lives of people in a heart breaking instant. In retrospect, there is no right end to that phone call.
Discovery:
I found Aaron's book bag last Thursday. The book bag with a peace symbol he sewed on.The contents: The Stanger, by Albert Camus (complete with Aaron bite marks as if he held it by the spine in his teeth) and Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Two pair of dirty socks, an empty package of Big Red gum, several Stop The War pamphlets for an anti-war rally, and a book report on Catch a Fire. Aaron writes: Bob Marley is a peaceful and loving man. He expresses what's right for his people through his music. He is a freedom fighter. Marley stands for more than Rastafari and bud.
He also carried a MATC school planning guide and some notes from school. In a side pocket I found a broken bead necklace he wore last fall on a home visit. Patrick said he can fix it. In a shirt pocket I found a multi-colored string bracelet. Looking at a picture from last September I noticed Aaron wearing both the bracelet and necklace. Both are visible in the photo from September '04. That's Cathy talking to somone likey glowing about having her baby boy home for a week.
I'm wearing the bracelet and remembering what was and thanking God for having had Aaron, and for having Patrick and Cathy. On this river that never ends, we need to stay close to God.
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