Handling the Late Night Phone Call: I’m Scared
Late
I got the late night phone call from my dad last night.
“Jim, I have this going on and I need you to come take a look. We may need to go to the ER.”
I’ve learned that at these times, the best thing for everyone is to just get up and go. While he didn’t give me enough information to know if it was something serious, he was worried, and my physical presence would do more good than talking him through it on the phone.
By the time I was driving up to his retirement complex, he had called again, this time to tell me he didn’t think it was really anything that couldn’t wait until morning. The worry hadn’t gone away that something was wrong, but the urgency of taking action had. I told him I’d be there in just a couple of minutes.
Long story short, he was glad to see me, apologetic for bothering me, and because I had read about the surgical procedure he had this week, I knew that what he was worried about was a normal side effect, and not something requiring any action.
“Boy, I’m sure glad to know that,” was a phrase he said over and over, processing his relief that it was nothing serious. “Boy, your ole dad sure does cause you a lot of inconvience,” he said a couple of times, to which I responded that he had a long way to go to even catch up with my kids, and we both laughed a little.
But I could tell that my trip and the personal time had relieved his fear and that he was grateful.
I’ve had more of those late night calls than I have wanted, and so far it’s true that more have come from our kids than my dad. I don’t like them, but I know there will be more.
Sometimes, they can be handled well on the phone. But most of the time, getting there in person is the best principle to follow. Being face to face is reassuring for them, and for you. And reassurance is always a good thing.
DandyID
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So, this is what I have to look forward too. And it comes at us from both ends, the kids and the parents??? I was hoping that after my baby quits waking in the middle of the night, that would be the end of interruptions. I guess I just as well not get used to a full night of sleep.
On the other hand, I don’t mind helping other people that are in need. I guess a few hours of inconvenience will all be worth it.
One of the things they forget to tell you when you have kids is that you never get to stop being a parent, which is pretty much ok. But I could tell you stories…