Althouse: "Son, I would tell you what I bought you for Christmas if I thought we weren't going to make it."

December 20, 2007

"Son, I would tell you what I bought you for Christmas if I thought we weren't going to make it."

"My kids were relying on me, and I'm scared, but you can't tell them you're scared."

11 comments:

Sardonicus said...: Beautiful.; 12/20/07, 8:15 AM
Roger J. said...: I really do appreciate the dad's presence of mind and courage; but geez--sometimes you have to wonder about the issue of foresight and avoiding the damnger in the first place. (OK--I will accept the scrooge award); 12/20/07, 8:19 AM
MadisonMan said...: Roger, I'll accept the award right along with you. The Dad did an incredibly stupid thing -- takes his kids out in the woods before a storm, and then gets lost in the storm. I'm glad it's a nice ending, but Hello? There are things called weather forecasts.; 12/20/07, 8:30 AM
Tim said...: Roger,

Yes, his courage after the trouble began is heartwarming, but I'm with you. I read another story in which they headed in the wrong direction once they realized they were lost - but the sun was still up and the sky was still clear - so I'm wondering why they (he) didn't use the sun as a compass and head in the right direction.

Then I read in this story he was from L.A. No need for map reading or compass skills there... They are all very lucky to be alive.; 12/20/07, 8:32 AM
rhhardin said...: Soap opera followed by more soap opera.; 12/20/07, 8:37 AM
TMink said...: It reminds me of a boy's report after the London bombings of WWII. It was part of some research on trauma of children. The man recalled walking with his mom in the parks of London and his mom pointing at a rather large tree flying through the air. "Look at that! Most people live their whole lives without seeing a tree fly through the air! We are certainly fortunate."

He did not recall that he was in an air raid, outside, while bombs were falling near enough to send trees flying through the air. That was because of the cool, calm, collected approach of his mother. The article tied maternal response to threat with the liklihood of ptsd in the children.

So the dad was right on as far as managing his anxiety goes. But sheesh who goes out to the wilderness in front of a storm with no coat or supplies!

Trey; 12/20/07, 8:39 AM
AllenS said...: Unless you have the presence of mind to look at the direction of the sun, and stated earlier, don't wander off into the woods without a compass.

Most people and especially children, instinctively walk down hill. If you ever find yourself in that situation, try walking uphill.; 12/20/07, 8:52 AM
KCFleming said...: Dad: "Christopher, I would tell you what I bought you for Christmas if I thought we weren't going to make it.".

Christopher Hitchens: "Dad, there's a big relationship between being lost in the woods this time of year and living in a one-party state. F*** Christmas and f*** you."; 12/20/07, 9:50 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Beatin Trooper to the punch for this one:

Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.

Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?

Clark: No, I have one of those at home.
(Christmas Vacation, 1989); 12/20/07, 10:19 AM
Trooper York said...: Cousin Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey Griswold: So, everybody does that.
Cousin Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.
(National Lampoons Vacation, 1983); 12/20/07, 10:56 AM
Synova said...: It's easy to get lost.

I grew up in the country, running around out in the woods, I've got a great sense of direction (gotta always know which way is North, even more-so when I was a kid, *had* to know and usually did) and it is EASY to get lost.

I wouldn't expect someone who didn't do a lot of off trail hiking to even realize how much they had to pay attention in order not to get turned around.; 12/22/07, 2:10 AM