And this is how my Father’s Day unfolded.

A freak accident in our driveway. My 14 year old starts my car to turn on the AC. It careens out of control, slams into a brick retaining wall. Both airbags deploy hitting my wife and oldest daughter. My youngest two in the back seat have seat belts on. I’m in the house. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

Panic. I’m outside. The smell of air bag explosives and powder. The sound of liquid forcing its way out of the engine. Later that night I hold them close, they’re precious to me. The battered metal and plastic hardware is just a symbol now. It’s an icon of the temporary stuff in life that I care too much about. But these, my wife and children are eternal. Now safe at home. I love them. I hold them close.