Teenagers…The Perfect Storm

(Reprint of one of my 2001 anecdotes which I thought I’d share)


You have set to sea in a well built, well prepared ship with all the provisions you could possibly need. The navigation and course have already been predetermined by careful and thoughtful preparation. The waters are calm; the sun is reflecting off the waves like a glittering pathway set before you…and the journey begins.

After some time of enjoying the exhilaration of it all, you spot a darkness on the horizon. Nothing to cause concern or panic…just a possible unintended “event” in the journey. A simple change of course and all should be well. The gloom, however, begins to surround your vessel. The once gentle listing of the boat becomes more of a rocking and the spray begins to hit the deck with regularity. The new course you have navigated seems to have led you to just another wall of dark clouds and stronger winds. The radio which worked flawlessly on the pre-trip inspection now sounds like your old AM car radio while driving through an underpass. This was not the plan; this is not what you meticulously prepared for.

The weather now turns violent and, in response, the waves transform into ominous walls of sea. Crashing down upon you there is no choice but to ride it out…hope…and pray. Although it is contrary to instinct, you must steer directly into the waves in order not to capsize. You can not force the steering with a rigid determination because this will lead only to certain doom. You guide it with only a sampling of direction—never taking your hand off the wheel—but letting nature do what it must.

As soon as you think you can endure no more…the winds subside; the waves begin to calm; the clouds begin to thin and rays of light break through to warm your skin. You have just passed through raising a teenager…the Perfect Storm.

Greg Morton
© 2001