The Storm Drain Miracle

A typical Saturday for Dad almost turned our life upside down.  Saturday is when I usually hang out with the kids.  I wanted to visit Pop Pop (Matt and Zach;s grandpa) so we drove out to his house in Montclair and parked on the street next to this typical grated storm drain.  We all had a great time at Pop pop's house talking, playing the Wii, Eating, and just really enjoying the family but the grandparents had to leave so it was time to take the kids to the local park.

We got to my car and I opened the door and told Zach to stay on the sidewalk.  I put Matthew in the car seat and then I heard Zach's voice say.... "Daddy, I can almost fit in here".    I looked over and he was sitting on the grate with his 2 feet dangling inside the storm drain opening. I ran over and grabbed him and cried as I know that if he fell, there was no way of getting him out. 

I hugged him so much and told him that we can't go near those drains....ever.  He was smart enough to check with me as he sometimes does before he does something. But what if he didn't.  That's the scary part.  God was with him and I thank God everyday for every single moment we have with our kids because we don't know when it may be our last.

I know sometimes, we as parents sound like broken records, always reminding our children what they should and shouldn't do. When is it enough?  Never.  It's our voices that they hear when they are about to do something.  It is our voice that makes them think about doing the right thing.

Words echo in our own heads from our parents that have kept us safe from the unknown.  We have to keep doing the right thing, communicating to our children daily, remind them how much we love them, and remember that when things get rough with your children, it would be much worse without them.

Please share with me at Dads Talk Radio by commenting or emailing me at [email protected] experiences to help other parents think about dangers that should be more aware of.  I would like to present these in my next podcast next week.. You could help save a child's life.

God Bless you and remember to give your kids a big hug when you get home tonight!