Hey Dad,

How you holding up under the $3.19 a gallon gas prices? I calculated that a fill-up for our family van would cost $111.65—Yeow!! I haven't even allowed myself to think about the cost of filling up our 75-gallon, fuel-loving RV!!

Of course, compared to the upheaval and destruction that some of our families are facing down south, I need to shut up and be thankful. Truth is, the aftermath of Katrina has been felt all the way up here in northern Indiana.

The pictures and stories of people wading through the murky brown waters have affected me. Those folks know firsthand what's important and what isn't now. Their homes have been destroyed, and all their worldly possessions have been washed away or ruined, but when interviewed about the situation, they inevitably say, "I'm just thankful that my family is all right … that's all that matters right now."

On the flip side, those who have lost a family member care about nothing else. You'll never hear them say into the camera, "I lost my cordless drill and golf clubs … and look at my car! What am I going to do?"

A few minutes ago, I was standing in my garage looking at the mounds of bikes, tools, toys, and junk that I've collected and thought, "None of this matters."

The books that I've written, the treasures that I've collected, even the photos and scrapbooks that hold irreplaceable memories … don't matter.

The landscape, the house that we've labored over for eight years, and the Familyman Mobile that we've come to love … don't matter.

My dreams for the future, my plans and aspirations to change the world … don't matter.

What matters is a little boy named Ike who spiked his hair up yesterday and paraded around the house thinking it was pretty funny, little Maggie Rose who adorably wrinkles her nose and shrugs her shoulders, Katherine who puts little sparkles on her cheeks, Ben and Sam who are becoming more like men every day, Abe who has a "fever" and is milking it for all it's worth, and my beloved bride who is in need of a little "together time."

The reminder is part of the aftermath of Katrina. So, Dad, pray for the families down south, do what you can to help … and cherish the family you have tonight.

You 'da dad!

© Copyright 2005 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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