Not here much…it’s been a rough 2025 in many ways, and I’m grateful for it. I’m totally fine. Haven’t missed a meal! I think I’m close to losing my Dad, who is my hero. As @B-Bob could tell you, my Dad had to overcome a lot. His father was at Alcatraz…Levenworth……serial bank robber and then some. My Dad decided at 14 years old he wanted to be the Dad he never had…and so then he was and then some. I decided my first year of law school I was happy to practice law maybe, but I wanted to be my Dad mostly. Anyway…ran across this video today and this is another hero of mine. I know it’s not a quick tik tok video so it maybe TLDR for some…but if you can watch all the way through, you should. This is what we should aspire to be…kind at the very least. Hope you all are well!!!
Thanks for sharing this video. He sure was a wise man who made a difference in so many people's lives.
Sorry to hear, Max. My dad just turned 86 on Monday. We had a great relationship until about 20 years ago when things inexplicabley went south. Doing my best to mend things now so I don't have any regrets when the inevitable happens, but it's not easy. Fathers are SO important.
@B-Bob was in Alcatraz? Jokes aside, I’m sorry that your father is in decline. My thoughts are with you, bro.
Sorry to hear this MadMax. I lost my father last year, and though I'm not much of a practicing Christian, there are vestiges of the stuff I was taught when I was younger still in me. My parents, on the other hand, are devout Christians, so when my father passed away, I took comfort in the fact his journey and any pain and discomfort were taken away, and he had reached his destination. It made it easier for me to make the call to take him off life support after his heart attack. My dad lived to be 89, which in itself was a miracle since he had a heart attack in his 50s and smoked like a chimney right until he had that first heart attack over 30 years ago, but then cut out smoking immediately. My mom is getting up there now, too, so I don't know how much time I have with her. I know I'm grateful for everything they sacrificed and provided for me including some of my outlook on the world and myself as I got older (which is amazing since I never thought I'd be "like my parents" in too many ways. lol.) I love Mister Rogers - there should be more people in the world like him - especially nowadays.
I am actually being re-assigned to the reborn Alcatraz (because over-educated) so will be the first American to be incarcerated there twice. @MadMax, thoughts are with you, brother. And thanks for the dose of Rogers. What this century needs more than anything else. Okay, my computer time is up for today. Back to my cell.
Thanks for all the kind words. I spent the evening last night watching the ‘stros with my Dad. When you’re not doing well and stuck at home, the Astros being on nearly every day (**** you Roku app!!!!) is a reason to be engaged. I remember this with my grandma who died of lung cancer back when I was about 15 or 16 so roughly a million years ago. My grandma and my grandpa (Irish af!!), believed Houston became a city when we got a baseball team. I’d watch games with her every night and she’d fall asleep….so I’d keep score so when she woke up the next morning and I was at school she’d be able to see how the game went. Turns out little things matter a lot….and once again the Astros are a huge part of a connection with someone I love who is dying. Last night my Dad told me he’s at peace with all of it….that he lived a great life and he knows what’s coming, And he’s at peace. That’s all I can ask for. Remember to tell the people you love that you love them. If that’s hard for you, grow the **** up and do it anyway. You’ll be dead soon enough, and your pride will likely die long before you do. Tell them that regularly.
