'Utter Terror to The Sweetest Relief': Father of Returned Medford Teen Pens Reflection, Advice on Raising Them

A Medford teen who left home returned last weekend. A Facebook post from her father, Sal Clemente, said 17-year-old Lola spent three day and two nights away from home, including time by herself in the woods of Worcester.

He then reflected on what happened and, in a bold move for a man who didn't know where his daughter was for three days, offered some raw, honest advice on raising teens. And it was pretty great.

"Lola, inspired by the films/books "Wild" and "Into The Wild," had an overwhelming urge to leave home," the post said. "Lola could not get the passionate ideas in these stories out of her head, and she felt compelled to act."

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Instead of lashing against his daughter or gushing about her return, Sal offered some advice for people who need it most: parents with teens.

"For parents of teenage girls and boys - there are no easy answers. These kids are under tremendous pressure, they have more input coming into their systems then the teenage brain is capable of absorbing and processing. They are sometimes incapable of knowing a good decision from a poor one, they feel they are invincible. They cannot always control the choice to act on their impulsive thoughts.: Their job is to push, to grow, to find their place, to fight authority, to press hard on boundaries.

"We have one job. Get them to adulthood in one piece."

Sal also had a word for the teens.

"Also, even if they've sometimes been tough on you, even if you feel they ask a lot (maybe too much) of you, your parents love for you is limitless. They are dedicating their entire lives to yours. You are a beautiful human being with value and their love for you has no bounds."

For Lola, it took seeing some of that love to come back home. She returned after checking her phone and seeing the commotion and support, including from police and social media, and decided it was time.

"When I saw her at the door - my entire body was filled with indescribable relief and joy - it was a feeling that will never leave me," her father wrote. "Over these three days we experienced a universe of feelings, from utter terror to the sweetest relief."

Lola's first words to her father upon returning to her Gorham Road home: "I'm so sorry, daddy."

To read Sal's full post, see below.