Dear diary

Zipped my tip in my jeans at work today. Thought I was going to cry. Had to take a deep breath and figure out what the hell had happened. Couldn’t even make it to the restroom to check on the little guy. Jeans are an old pair and the zipper is malfunctioning caught my mini me on the way down as I was working off of a ladder today. I think I need to join a support group after the ordeal.
Thanks for listening OBs. I know it isn’t an astros thread, but if I can help just one OBer who has been through this by letting him know he isn’t alone, I’ve done my job.
Perhaps you should consider button down trousers.
 
Zipped my tip in my jeans at work today. Thought I was going to cry. Had to take a deep breath and figure out what the hell had happened. Couldn’t even make it to the restroom to check on the little guy. Jeans are an old pair and the zipper is malfunctioning caught my mini me on the way down as I was working off of a ladder today. I think I need to join a support group after the ordeal.
Thanks for listening OBs. I know it isn’t an astros thread, but if I can help just one OBer who has been through this by letting him know he isn’t alone, I’ve done my job.
 
tenor.gif
 
This afternoon, I was at the golf course. I was leaving and went to my car. There were two guys putting their clubs into their trunk and chatting. Their golf cart was parked behind my car, blocking me in. No big deal.

I walked past them, smiled, said hello and opened the door to my car. One of the guys asked me if he was blocking me in and did I want him to move the cart.

I knew, without looking, but I looked anyway.
There was an a&m sticker on the back window.
 
This afternoon, I was at the golf course. I was leaving and went to my car. There were two guys putting their clubs into their trunk and chatting. Their golf cart was parked behind my car, blocking me in. No big deal.

I walked past them, smiled, said hello and opened the door to my car. One of the guys asked me if he was blocking me in and did I want him to move the cart.

I knew, without looking, but I looked anyway.
There was an a&m sticker on the back window.
4697wn.jpg
 
This afternoon, I was at the golf course. I was leaving and went to my car. There were two guys putting their clubs into their trunk and chatting. Their golf cart was parked behind my car, blocking me in. No big deal.

I walked past them, smiled, said hello and opened the door to my car. One of the guys asked me if he was blocking me in and did I want him to move the cart.

I knew, without looking, but I looked anyway.
There was an a&m sticker on the back window.
tenor-24.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: venivedivici
Played Terravista today and there was an aggy wearing fcking jeans on the course. Had the aggy bag, aggy club heads, aggy clothes. Him and his group would mark his ball everytime like they were playing on the freaking pga tour. Him and his group were good but took forever on every hole.
 
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.
 
Last edited:
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can write the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.
This was a tremendous read.
And, straightaway, the world is a better place, because of what you have learned - and because you are in it. HookEm brother.
 
Last edited:
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.
Best thing I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for sharing that.
 
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.
Amen!
 
I'm also tired of watching the news, it just makes me depressed. I'll check headlines about the "race for the cure" to the Corona virus, and I watch CNBC to check the stock market, but that's about it.

My Dad grew up in the deep south and most of his family you could consider "racist" by today's definition, but as he got older into his 70's he changed and realized it didn't matter what your skin color was, it was your character that mattered, he also became a believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 80, he died at age 83 and even better man than his youth, so there's always a chance a person can change.
 
I’ve been a member since 2000 /2001 and that’s a top 10 post ever. It is also a read that isn't all that far off from my own. My parents weren’t shy about expressing racist views being the grandchildren of Civil War era participants in South Carolina. However, had I or my siblings been hateful mean nasty or violent towards anyone of any race, we’d have had to pay a brutal price at my folks’ hand. They were big believers in the idea that corporal punishment should be rare but memorable and leave more than just bruises as a reminder to their children.

I’m an example of the perfect inconsistency that many of us were raised in during the 1960’s and 70’s- I’m glad you posted this tonight, and the board is better for having you as a part of it.
 
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.
Excellent!
 
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.

Outstanding, thanks for posting. You spoke for many, I’m sure, and me as well.
 
A long rant....Excuse my venting.

The state of the world and the last ten days have been traumatic for my family. My life in the military has made me proficient at compartmentalizing just about everything, some times to my detriment. Today, I have to get these thoughts out of my mind.

I Don't care anymore.

All this bullshit, the news outlets and emo-media (social media) are pushing me away.

I stopped watching the news two weeks ago, and canceled my cable package. This isn't to live in an echo chamber of dissonance, but more to live a life meaningfully without the easy influence of bitterness and hate that seems inescapable today.

The silent majority consists of individuals not willing to risk social ridicule to express their opinions.

Politics is the new religion, constructing a reality that quite literally forces us to pick a side, disregard context and only see issues as black and white in all aspects of American life.

The silent majority are the vast gray area and dismissed and unacknowledged by both sides. If we continue to exist as individuals, we all we be subjugated to the whims and emotional desires the vocal fringe on both sides. It is the vast gray area that must force a sense of normalcy of balance.

I have decided to protest, but not by my unhinged manufactured outrage of a trendy topic or rioting and destroying things I dislike or erasing someone's life's work. Nor, by exerting my lifestyle or values on others. I will protest by using...my power of choice.

I know this is crazy talk! As mentioned above, I stopped watching news...I'm tired of Trump, BLM, protesting, riots, and coronavirus.

I'm tire being the cause for another's station in life, then led to feel guilty or shame for my skin tone and the perceived privileges I'm suppose to enjoy to the detriment of of others. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Nonetheless, I did not get to chose my skin color, language, nationality, who my parents are or their financial status. I did not chose to have a racist father (whom I learned to love over the years) who has a little red book in his study titled,The Clansman.

A while back, he saw me pull it out from behind some books on his book case. I noticed the title, flipped through some pages, then looked at him, he looked back, said nothing, while his eyes said everything.

Since then its been hard to look my dad in the eyes. That is went it became clear we are diametric and at core very different people. Its painful to say this, I'm glad I am not him.

Last week my father's older brother passed away.

For the first time in my life, I watched my father cry as he reminiscence about their childhood in the 1950s. He said the defining moment of uncle's life was a health condition he had as a kid that is similar to Polio causing lower extremity paralysis. Uncle lost his ability to walk.

My dad and his brother were ostracized for years as kids. I think my uncle handled it the best way he could and kept positive. It was my dad, who suffered emotionally. Dad was kicked out of school sports, and organizations, treated like shit because of his brother's condition.

Eventually, things went back to normal, my uncle regained the use of his legs, and the experience made him an creditably compassionate person; very warm and friendly to everyone he meets...he was loved by all.

My father became hard, hyper critical and of all. My uncle's heart was wide open for those who suffer. My dad...his heart is harden and bitter.

Yesterday, I watched my dad cry for the first time as he came to terms with his own humanity, and perhaps the source of his pain and the 'why' of who he has become.

My dad loves him some Rush and Fox News and surprisingly, he's stopped watching the news at the same time I did. He, like me, is tired of all the negativity and the religious zealotry of today's politics. He stated yesterday: "The news just makes you bitter and unhappy." I could not agree more.

Uncle's passing rekindled something in him. Hearing phrases like "letting go" and "put our hate aside" are ideas totally foreign to his identity as uncle's side of the family split with my side because of my dad's politics and love of Trump.

I hope his brother's passing, and he coming to terms with his mortality will make him a happier person, less polarized, perhaps soften his heart a little. It has made me question some of my beliefs.

Life is just to short to be bitter, to point fingers or to play the blame game, or not take stock of who we are and the events that have shaped us into the people we are today.

My English Lit professor, Dr. Foster, once said in her eternally encouraging way that we can, "rewrite the myth that is you." The skeptic in me always thought she lifted it from some obscure author...ear candy for the weak minded and lost.

Today, it doesn't matter if she lifted it or not. Its the impactful intent of it....that we, that who we are is not static and written in stone. It's not ear candy, its just a fact; we all can change.

At 76, I hope my dad can rewrite the myth that is he. And I will be his son by his side, despite his flaws and his little red book.

In the same boat brother. The silent middle needs to retake this country. The left and right have lost their minds. Love your life. Help your fellow man. Live by the golden rule at all costs.
 
I miss my dad. I'm glad you have yours. Nice post and hug your pops. Because one day...you won't be able to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mars512