46
“I’m Alive!”
2-10-08
Ah! (2
days after the car incident). Me n
Binky just got our punishment & I’m happy2 say we’re both still alive. My mind feels @ peace. Today, I called Mac’s dad & told
him the situation and it turned out2 be exactly what I needed to do!
I
prayed about it and everything led me2 tell him. His dad wasn’t even that surprised because he already
suspected something, he just didn’t have any real proof.
But
yea, I think my weekend has
been a lil’ more than just wild but I find it kind of funny – how much of the
brains that I have that I never really use.
I just
thank God that He protected me & Binky. The police car.
The railroad tracks. The
ditch. Everything was enough2
scare us2 death. But it was most
definitely a learning experience and I’m gonna actually start talking to my
parents before I go an do something like this again. Wow. I’m gonna
go rest since this is all over4 the main part.
I will
strive to be better – even though I’m a d.a.
In
Christ,
Heather
Marie Lee
Dear Heather,
I don’t remember
the exact date, but sometime around October 1, 2007 – right about the time you
started keeping this journal – you thought process was pretty much the same as
it has been lately. Act without
thinking and hope for the best.
In 2007, your
actions got you stripped of all the stuff that was cluttering your life and
helping you make bad decisions. (Remember the Bed, Bible, Blanket Drill?) I didn’t know it at the time, but that
consequence got you on a track where you started thinking about things at a
much deeper level. It brought you
closer to God. It made you aware
of what mattered in your life.
It’s when you started writing.
Believe it or
not, we weren’t trying to punish you – although I’m sure it felt like we were. It was a consequence designed to help
you find the right path for yourself. Taking away your phone and your computer
removed some of your opportunities to make middle of the night decisions that
didn’t make sense. Removing all
the physical stuff forced you to focus on yourself. Keeping you from going places forced you to spend more time
with the family – at least if you wanted to come out of your room.
Basically, it
worked. But it wasn’t a miracle
cure. You still need lots of
guidance. You are still only
15-years-old.
In thinking about
your consequences and your safety for your latest antics, it seems logical that
we destroy your permit and stop teaching you to drive until you are mature
enough to make good decisions that don’t endanger your life and the life of
others who are unlucky enough to be on the road when you make really bad decisions.
If the policeman
who was following you had figured out that you didn’t have a license and that
you had stolen the car, you would have gone to juvenile detention and the state
would not allowed you to apply for a driver’s license for 2 years.
You escaped the
civil penalty – but not the parental penalty. I’m grateful, but not because you were spared that
punishment and/or consequence –
but because you know I believe that it is our responsibility as
parents to help you learn from
this mistake - not the government.
As such, your
driving privileges are completely removed for at least 6 months. At that point we will re-evaluate your
decision making skills and assess whether you should continue learning to
drive. You will not be allowed to
sit for the driver’s test for at least another 6 months after we allow you to
have your permit.
Moreover, as has
always been our rule - you are not allowed to drive with any other teenager
until they have had their license for at least 6 months.
This does limit
your options. It means your
younger sister will get her license before you. You will need HER help to get places. You might want to reconsider the way
you treat her.
Likewise, you are
going to need your older siblings’ help.
And my time is
limited. Don’t expect me to go out
of my way to take you where you want to go simply because you aren’t able to
get your license. I will handle
all the places you NEED to go, but I may not be inclined to break my neck for
things that you want, but don’t need.
That’s not a punishment either.
Just a reality.
I know that you
were honestly terrified. You knew
the danger of those railroad tracks.
You were deeply impacted by Hannah’s death on those very same tracks. You write about her – even though you
didn’t even know her. But even
that fear will fade and you are likely to forget the risks and act without
thinking.
Nonetheless, I
pray that you will grow and mature and learn to make wise decisions. I admire your desire to help
others. But you can’t help them if
you are dead.
I love you
anyway.
Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment