A long Walk Home

I grew up in the south of Spain in a little community called Estepona. I was 16 when one morning, my father told me I could drive him into a remote village called Mijas, about 18 miles away, on the condition that I take the car to be serviced at a nearby garage .Having just learned to drive and hardly ever having opportunity to use the car, I readily accepted. I drove Dad inti Mijas and promise to pick him up at 4 p.m., then drove to a nearby garage and drop off the car . because I had a few hours to spare , I decided to catch a couple of movies at a theater near the garage . However , I become so immersed in the films that I completely lost track of time. When the last movie had finished, I looked down at my watch. it was six o'clock. I was two hours late!

I knew that Dad would be angry if he found out I'd been watching movies. He'd would never let me drive me again. I decided to tell him that the car needed some repairs and that they had taken longer then had been expected. I drove up to the place where we had planned to meet and saw that Dad waiting patiently on the corner. I apologised for being late and told him that I'd come as quickly as I could, but the car needed some major repairs. I will never forget the look he gave me.

"I'm disappointed that you feel you have to lie to me, Jason.'' "What do you mean? I'm telling the truth."

Dad looked at me again . "When you did not show up , I called the garage to ask if there were any problems, and they told me that you had not yet picked up the car. so you see, I know there were no problem with the car.'' A rush of guilt ran through me as I feebly confessed my trip to the movie theater and the real reason for my tardiness. Dad listened intently as a sadness pass through him.

"I'm angry, not with you but with myself. You see, I realise that I have failed as a father if after all these years you feel that you have to lie to me. I have failed because I have brought up as a son who cannot even tell the truth to his own father. I'm going to walk home now and contemplate where I have gone wrong all these years.''

"But Dad, it's 18 miles to home. it's dark. You can't walk home.''

My protest, my apologies and the rest of my utterance were useless. I had let my father down, and I was about to learn one of the most painful lessons of my life. Dad began walking along the dusty roads. I quickly jumped in the car and followed behind, hoping he would relent. I pleaded all the way, telling him how sorry I was, but he simply ignored me, continuing on silently, thoughtfully and painfully. For 18 miles I drove behind him, averaging about five miles per hour.

seeing my father in so much physical and emotional pain was the most distressing and painful experience that I have ever faced. However, it was also the most successful lesson. I have never lied to him since.

lesson: In our lives there are some people who are very close to us and there presences very important, so in the relationship of these people truth and trust are very important. love them, share your problems with them and do not do anything in which you face a guilt or them.