Dad

There’s nothing like dad when it comes to crossing the line. We’ve been told for years not to cross the tracks alone. There are warning lights and gates that we need to heed. It’s not always safe. Crossing can be dangerous. It’s like there’s a new world on the other side that’s waiting to be explored but not until we’re ready.
Finally, the warning lights are off, the gate is up, and we reach for dad’s hand to help us across. It’s the first day of school and Dad is crossing the tracks with me. To a mom and dad, it’s kindergarten and they know how many years of school are ahead. To a five-year old, it’s a rite of passage, and they are only thinking about the next few hours, or perhaps the next few days. Until now, time has been marked by events like morning, lunch, afternoon, supper, bath, bedtime, etc. Now, it will be marked by clocks and bells.
As we grow older, there will be many warning lights and gates to warn us of the dangers of “crossing the tracks.” How well did we learn to watch for them? Will we see them all? Will we heed the warnings? Will someone be there to take our hand and help us across? Who will it be?