一個父親的救贖

父愛的表達方式可以是為你傾其所有，只希望你能衣食無憂；可以是為你徹夜難眠，只希望你能健康平安；還可以是為你放下驕傲、主動認錯，只希望教你如何做一個更好的人。

In Chicago， we marveled at the snowfall on the tarmac2）. Looking out the window， I joked to my teenage daughter， “Whos going to shovel all that snow off the wings before we take off？” A little part of me inside grew worried by the minute， because I knew that the harder the snow fell， the better the chances were for a delay.

Sure enough， our delay came. I refused to let it bother me， as I was intentionally trying to demonstrate patience to both my daughter and 6-year-old son accompanying me on our trip back home.

I ended up sleeping through most of the pre-flight delay， as did my children， but it wasnt until about 30 minutes before landing that panic set in. The flight attendant announced that， because of the delay， we would arrive at 11：00. Looking at the boarding pass for my connecting flight， I realized it was scheduled to take off at 11：02.

Two minutes.

Knowing there was no way I would de-plane in time with two children in tow3） （from the back row of the plane）， I gave up and prepared for the worst. However， the flight attendant， overhearing me discuss with the kids that we would miss our connection， announced to the rest of the passengers to let us go first and as such， remain seated until we got by them.

We landed， and the sound of seat belts unlatching and carry-on bags zipping broke the silence. As soon as we stood up to begin our mad rush， so did everyone else. The other passengers ignored the attendants instructions and went about their day， meandering slowly and taking their time to gather bags， put on coats and perform other menial4） tasks.

We were the last ones off the plane.

I began to feel enraged at seeing this outpouring of selfishness and willful ignorance. My determination to make the connection was growing by the millisecond5）， though， and as soon as we were out of the gate， the three of us sprinted—or at least， as fast as a 6-year-olds legs can run.

Reaching the terminal and seeing our gate within grasp， I felt a glimmer of hope， but that hope dissipated when I realized the jetway6） door was closed， the reader board had been updated to reflect the next flight assigned to the gate and the seats surrounding the gate were empty.

I spotted a ticket agent at the desk in front of our gate， and struggling through gasps to catch my breath， I shouted in his direction， “Excuse me！”

He turned to see me， only to turn around again. The bastard ignored me. “Hey！” I shouted again， breathless and exhausted， “Can you help us？”

“Sorry， but I cant help you right now，” he responded， turning his back and walking away from the gate.

This was the last straw. My temper boiled over like scalded7） milk in a pot too small to contain it， and I lost it， shouting angrily， “Well， how the hell are we supposed to get home now？”

The agent sped up， but turned his head slightly back toward us and in a hurried matter-of-fact8） manner， replied， “If you missed your flight， go see the automated service counter between gates C2 and C3！”

“Stupid piece of shit，” I muttered to myself， in reference to the fleeing agent.

Thats when I looked down and to the right. There was my 6-year-old， looking up at me. He wasnt looking for answers to our problem. He wasnt looking at me because I was being loud， self-righteous and indignant. He was looking at me because he had never encountered a situation like this before in his young life， and he needed to find a way to deal with it， should it ever happen again.

The problem was， I was giving him a precedent. My childish tirade9） presented him with a solution to his future conflicts when dealing with difficult situations and even more difficult people.

Long story short， I found the self-service station， and it took me all of 60 seconds to scan our tickets and print out boarding passes to another flight， four hours later than our original departure. We now had the time to eat lunch， relax for a while， and most importantly， to ponder how I was going to reconcile what I had just instilled in my children.

I needed redemption， and it had to be something they would remember.

For the next three hours， I simmered10） and stewed， allowing my anger to lift like a fog that the sun cuts on a cold， clear winter morning. Contemplate as I might， the best course of action I could come up with was a brief lecture on how it isnt right to lose your temper with others when it isnt even their fault， but I knew that a lecture would be likely to go in one ear and out the other. I needed something that would stick.

Roughly 30 minutes before boarding our new flight， thats when it came to me， and I chose to do something daring， something that I normally wouldnt have done， and it is something that I will never regret， as long as I live.

I spotted the original ticket agent， who was working the desk at our gate again. I grabbed my sons hand and said， “Come with me.”

“Why， Daddy？” he asked as he looked up from playing a game on my phone.

“Just come with me，” I replied， “I need you to watch and listen.”

He got up， held my hand， and walked with me across the carpet to the desk. There was a line of passengers， and we waited. My heart began thumping11） against my ribs， and my palms formed a thin film of sweat. When it was our turn， the agent looked up at me and asked， “Can I help you？”

I doubt that he recognized me， or at least， it didnt seem like he did. I approached the desk with my sons hand in mine and said：

“Sir， I dont know if you recognize me， but about three hours ago， I did something inappropriate. I cursed at you because you didnt help us find a new flight after we missed our connection， and that wasnt right. I took my frustration out on you and set a poor example for my children. I want to apologize to you and ask your forgiveness.”

He looked stunned. He was speechless for what felt like forever， and just when I was ready to turn and walk away， he spoke：

“I dont know what to say. I didnt hear you use any foul language， but I do remember you. At the time， I was trying to locate a medical kit for a woman boarding her plane over at the gate next door， and I was in a rush. I wanted to stop to help you， but I was in a hurry to assist the passenger over there. Im sorry I didnt stop to help.”

I became even more ashamed of my actions. I responded， “You have nothing to apologize for， sir. I was in the wrong， and I need to ask forgiveness to right this wrong， but also to show my son that the way I behaved was not right.”

Again， in disbelief， he looked stunned. “Its OK. I forgive you， and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your apology. You didnt need to do this. Quite frankly， nobody ever has， and trust me， we get yelled at a lot in this job. You just made my day， and I thank you for that.” He then extended his hand for a handshake， as he said， “My name is Ron.”

Grabbing his hand， I replied， “Thanks， Ron. Im Josh. Nice to meet you， and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.”

Turning to walk away after giving Ron a smile， I looked down at my son， who was still gripping my hand tightly. He was staring up at me again， but this time， doe-eyed12）， with the beginnings of a smile. I smiled back at him， tears brimming13） on my eyelids， and said， “That， my son， is doing the right thing. Always do the right thing， no matter what.”

Forgiveness is a gift of love， an act of beauty that benefits not only the person being asked by way of reconciliation， but also the person requesting it， by way of redemption.

Thanks to snow， a delayed flight and the selfishness of others， I had the chance to make things right， to set in motion a lifetime of redemption for my children.

To Ron， the ticket agent at the Delta counter， thank you for giving me another chance.

在芝加哥，我們驚訝地看到停機坪上積起了雪。我看著窗外，和我十多歲的女兒打趣道：“咱們起飛前，誰會去把機翼上的積雪全都鏟走呢？”隨著時間一點點流逝，我的內(nèi)心有一部分越來越感到不安，因為我知道，雪下得越大，飛機延誤的可能性就越大。

果不其然，我們的航班延誤了。我決定不讓它影響我的心情，因為我正刻意在和我一起踏上歸途的女兒和六歲的兒子面前表現(xiàn)得有耐心。

結(jié)果，在延誤的航班起飛前的大部分時間里，我都在睡覺，孩子們也一樣。直到降落前30分鐘左右，我才開始慌張起來?？粘巳藛T廣播說，由于飛機晚點，我們將在11點整抵達目的地。我看了一眼轉(zhuǎn)乘航班的登機牌，發(fā)現(xiàn)那個航班預(yù)定的起飛時間是11：02。

只有兩分鐘。

我知道自己無論如何也不可能帶著兩個孩子（從飛機的后排座位）及時下飛機，我已經(jīng)不抱希望，也做了最壞的打算。但空乘人員無意中聽到了我和孩子們談?wù)搶⒁e過轉(zhuǎn)乘航班的對話，于是在廣播里對其他乘客說讓我們先走，請他們先待在位子上，等我們從他們身邊走過再起身。

飛機降落了，安靜的機艙里響起一片解安全帶和拉上隨身行李箱拉鏈的聲音。就在我們站起身來準備一路狂奔時，其他乘客也站了起來。他們沒有理會空乘人員的指示，而是自顧自地做著自己的事，慢吞吞地挪著步子，慢條斯理地拿行李、穿外套，做著一些無關(guān)緊要的事。

我們是最后走下飛機的。

對這種自私泛濫、存心無視他人的態(tài)度，我開始感到憤怒。但是，我趕搭轉(zhuǎn)乘航班的決心卻一秒比一秒堅定。一走出登機口，我們?nèi)司烷_始全速奔跑起來——至少是以一個六歲孩子所能跟上的最快速度跑了起來。

到了航站樓，看到我們的登機口近在咫尺，我感到了一絲希望。但那絲希望又破滅了，因為我發(fā)現(xiàn)廊橋的門已經(jīng)關(guān)閉，顯示屏上的內(nèi)容已經(jīng)更新為在此登機的下一個航班的信息，登機口旁邊的座位上也已空無一人。

我看到登機口前的服務(wù)臺那兒有一名檢票員，于是努力平息著自己急促的喘息，朝著他的方向大聲喊道：“打擾一下！”

他轉(zhuǎn)頭看了我一眼，卻又轉(zhuǎn)了回去。這個混蛋對我置之不理?！昂?！”我氣喘吁吁、精疲力竭地再次喊道，“能幫幫我們嗎？”

“抱歉，我現(xiàn)在幫不了你?！彼鸬溃D(zhuǎn)身從登機口邊走開了。

這副態(tài)度成了激怒我的最后一根稻草。我的怒氣就像即將滾沸的牛奶從鍋里溢出來那樣，再也收不住，我憤怒地喊道：“該死的，那我們現(xiàn)在怎么回家？”

檢票員加快了腳步，但稍稍回過頭來，面無表情地倉促答道：“如果錯過了航班，可以去C2和C3登機口之間的自助柜臺看一下！”

“蠢貨?！蔽业吐曋淞R著這名快速離去的檢票員。

這時，我朝右下方看了一眼。我六歲的兒子正站在那兒抬頭看著我。他并不是想知道我們的問題該怎么解決，也不是因為我自以為是、憤怒地大聲說話而看著我。他看著我是因為小小年紀的他此前從未遇到過這種情況，他需要知道當下次再碰到這種事時，他該怎么處理。

問題是我正在給他做出示范。我在用自己幼稚的謾罵向他演示，當他日后遇到難以解決的事和更加難以對付的人而發(fā)生沖突時應(yīng)該怎么辦。

長話短說，我找到了自助柜臺，只花了60秒鐘的時間掃描我們的機票以及打印另一個航班的登機牌。這次的起飛時間比我們最初的航班晚了四個小時?，F(xiàn)在我們有時間吃點午餐，休息一會兒，最重要的是，我可以好好思考一下如何消解剛才錯誤的言傳身教帶給孩子們的影響。

我需要一個補救的辦法，一個必須能被他們記住的辦法。

接下來的三個小時，我都在默默醞釀，讓我的怒氣像晴朗、寒冷的冬日早晨被陽光驅(qū)散的霧氣那樣消散。盡管考慮再三，但我所能想到的最佳方案就是發(fā)表一通簡短的訓(xùn)話，告訴他們當別人沒有做錯什么的時候?qū)e人發(fā)脾氣是不對的。但我知道，這種說教可能會被他們當成耳旁風。我得想個能讓他們牢牢記住的辦法。

距離登上我們的新航班還有大約30分鐘時，我想出了個辦法。我決定做一件勇敢的、我平常本來不會做的事情，一件我一生都不會為之感到遺憾的事情。

我發(fā)現(xiàn)了先前的那個檢票員，他又在我們所在的那個登機口檢票。我抓起兒子的手，對他說：“跟我來。”

“為什么，爸爸？”正用我的手機玩游戲的兒子抬頭問我。

“跟我來就知道了，”我答道，“我要你聽好、看好?！?/p>

他站起來，握著我的手，和我一起走過地毯向檢票臺走去。檢票臺前排起了一隊乘客，我們就在后面等著。我的心臟開始在胸腔里猛烈地跳動，手心也微微出了一層汗。輪到我們時，檢票員抬頭看著我問道：“需要我?guī)兔?？?/p>

我懷疑他并沒認出我來，至少看上去是如此。我拉著兒子的手走近柜臺，對他說：

“先生，我不知道你是否認出我了。在大約三個小時之前，我做了些不恰當?shù)氖?。因為你在我們錯過轉(zhuǎn)乘航班后沒有幫我們尋找新的航班，我就罵了你。那樣做是不對的。我把怨氣發(fā)泄到了你的身上，也給我的子女樹立了一個壞榜樣。我要向你道歉，希望能得到你的原諒?！?/p>

他愣住了，沒有說話，那沉默對我來說無比漫長。就在我打算轉(zhuǎn)身離開的時候，他開口了：

“我不知道該說什么了。我沒聽到你說任何臟話，但我的確記得你。當時，我正在為一位在旁邊登機口登機的女士找醫(yī)藥箱，很趕時間。我本想停下來幫你，但又急于幫助那位乘客。抱歉我沒有停下來幫你?！?/p>

我對自己的行為感到更加羞愧了。我回答說：“你不需要道歉，先生。錯的是我，我要請求你的原諒來糾正這個錯誤，同時也是為了讓我的兒子知道，我當時的那種行為是不對的。”

他又愣了，一副不敢相信的樣子?！皼]關(guān)系，我原諒你。我說不出你的道歉讓我多么感激。你本來不需要這樣做的。說實話，從來沒人道過歉，相信我，做這份工作會遇到很多人沖我們大喊大叫。你這樣做我真的很高興，謝謝?！比缓螅斐鍪謥砀椅帐?，說：“我叫羅恩?！?/p>

我握住他的手，說：“謝謝你，羅恩。我叫喬希。很高興認識你，愿你今天接下來的時間過得愉快。”

我朝羅恩笑了笑，然后轉(zhuǎn)身走開了。我低頭看了一眼兒子，他仍然緊緊地握著我的手。他再次抬起頭看著我，不過這一次，他天真無邪的眼神中開始露出笑意。我也對他笑了笑，淚水卻盈滿了眼眶，我對他說：“兒子，這就是正確的做法。無論遇到什么情況，永遠要做正確的事。”

“原諒”是愛的禮物，是美好的行為，雙方都能從中受益：對收到請求的一方而言，它意味著和解；對請求原諒的一方而言，它意味著救贖。

多虧降雪、延誤的航班和那些自私的乘客，我才有了糾正錯誤的機會，也才有機會做出補救，讓我的孩子們從此一生受益。

我要對達美航空公司的檢票員羅恩說，謝謝你給了我第二次機會。