Fathers for life

 ON the 7th of December 1988, AN EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATED THE NORTHWESTERN SECTION OF ARMENIA, KILLING AN ESTIMATED 25,000 PEOPLE.

Just after the earthquake, in a small town, a father rushed to his son’s school and find that the school had been flattened. There was nothing left to find.

But he had no thought of turning back. He used to tell his son, “No matter what happens, I will always be there for you when you require me.”

Though his prospects appeared hopeless, the father began feverishly removing rubble from where he believed his son’s classroom had been. Other parents only wailed hopelessly…” My son!” or “My daughter!” Some even told him to go back home, there was little chance that any of the children could be alive. Yet, he replied: “I had a promise to my son that I would be there for him anytime he required me. I have to dig now.”

Courageously, he did it all alone; no one volunteered to help him. He just wants to confirm for himself: “Is my boy alive or is he dead?” Finding strength and endurance for his son, the faithful, loving father continued to dig…for 8 hours…12…24…36 hours. Then in the 38th hour, as he heaved away a heavy piece of rubble, he heard voices. “Armand!” he screamed.

A child’s voice responded: “Dad! It’s me…Armand!” Then, “I told them not to worry. If you were alive, you would save me, and once you saved me, they’d be saved. You kept your promise dad, You did it, Dad!”

A few moments later, the dad was helping his son Armand and 13 more frightened, thirsty, and hungry boys and girls climb out of the debris. Free at last! When the building fell, these children were spared in a tent-like pocket.

When the whole town praised Armand’s dad, his explanation was, “I promised my son, ‘No matter what happens, I will be there for you!

Have a great day!”