Facing Bad News

The terrifying moment many seniors face is bad news. True, seniors are continually saying farewell to their peers but even so, there is usually little comfort in saying goodbye except perhaps in traumatized circumstances such as an incurable cancer, a massive heart attack or a tragic accident.

But when it comes to tragedy within the immediate family, particularly to those in younger brackets, bad news can be dreadful. Let’s look at Eric’s situation. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren. If anyone had a favorite, which Eric would readily deny, it was his youngest grandson. Todd was the apple of his eye. He loved all his children and grandchildren but somehow, Todd had grabbed a special place in grandpa’s heart.

Todd had had a rather difficult start in life. Perhaps that is why Grandpa had been so concerned and later relieved when things worked out. Todd, later on, unfortunately had drifted into a crowd that dragged him down to their level. For quite awhile he had hidden this from his family, particularly his grandfather, who could see no evil nor the propensity for mischief in his beloved grandson.

After surviving some skirmishes with the law (reckless driving, suspicion of DUI and shoplifting), Todd finally was caught as an accomplice to a burglary. He was driving the getaway car which was stopped by a road block. His accomplices fled on foot but Todd was not as fortunate.

Since his parents were out of town, Grandpa had to make the distressing journey to the police department. Because of his prior record, Todd was questioned more studiously, even harshly thought Eric, who was dismayed at the accusations from which he had previously been shielded.

Grandfather put up the bail and Todd was escorted not to his home but to that of his grandparents. Since Todd was a senior in high school and had reached his 18th birthday, his parents thought he could manage at home by himself. When Eric and Todd stopped by Todd’s house to pick up a few essentials, Eric was appalled by the disarray. The house was in shambles. Thinking it had been hit by vandals, Todd reassured him that that wasn’t the case. He simply hadn’t taken time to clean up after a party which resembled more of a brawl than a teenage soiree.

Todd had trouble facing his grandfather but finally blurted out his thanks for coming up with the bail. He made no attempt to apologize or explain but simply lumbered off to the guest room to sulk. Grandpa Eric sat down clumsily in his easy chair, put his face in his hands, and wept.

He was not easily consoled, not even by his beloved wife of many years. He tried to forgive and forget. Forgiving was easier than forgetting although both proved difficult. Thinking that Todd had learned his lesson, Eric was once again dismayed when Todd dropped out of college. Blaming himself in part for Todd’s decline (which was unwise and unnecessary), Eric tearfully and reluctantly revised his will.