“Once you let go of all the negative people in your life…positive ones appear.”
—Autumn Kohler
Today’s story is from Megan.
Dad raised me from 9. Mom left us that year. My brother was 7. Those were tough times.
Megan in Hawaii
We did have one bit of luck. Dad won a trip to Hawaii. The catch? Tickets for two. He’ll probably take Ryan, I thought.
Wrong. Dad asked me along!
Me and my dad. A trip with just him. Right after Mom left. You can’t know what that meant.
Dad and I spent a week doing it all. We inspected each beach. We examined each shell. We ate off the same plate. We even toured the Dole pineapple factory, my hand tucked tightly in his.
On our last day, we walked to the beach and decided to chill. Well, “chill” might not be exactly right. Over and over, I’d jump off Dad’s shoulders into the sea. Snorkeling. Splash fights. So wild and fun.
Now pay attention. This you must hear.
As we swam in the warm, crystalline blue, dad casually asked, “Megan, have you learned about vacuums yet?”
My first thought? This trip came with a catch. Once we returned home I’d be sweeping the floors. Dad was adding a task to my chores. He read the look on my face.
“No,” Dad laughed, “Like a vacuum in space?” I shrugged.
“Well,” said Dad, “In space, there’s cosmic ‘stuff’ we call mass.” I was intrigued.
“In space, mass hates a void. It rushes to fill a vacuum all up. A good example is called a black hole.”
I nodded for him to go on.
“Well,” said Dad, “People are just like that. They instinctively rush to fill voids. It’s true even when they know they will likely be hurt. They can’t resist. For example, have you ever noticed when someone doesn’t want to be your friend you want them even more?”
I thought for a second. It had happened to me.
Dad continued, “You wanted that person, not because of who they were, but because they didn’t want you. They created a negative vacuum. You were sucked in.
“So,when you find yourself attracted to a person, a deal, or a thing, ask yourself this: ‘Is it really the vacuum?'”
A long pause. “Daddy, I’m not sure I understand…”
My father smiled and said, “Someday you will.” He pushed back into the water. We continued to play.
That someday is now. It was the best advice I’ve ever heard.
Surround yourself with true friends. Make decisions based on real merit. Don’t rush to a vacuum. Don’t’ get sucked in.
What else did I learn? I have a remarkable dad!
Megan with her dad on graduation day
Megan, you are extremely to lucky to have Rick Murphy as your father. He is a good man & I’m proud to call both of your FRIENDS. FRed.