Ok...It's St Patty's day and for those who know me well, should know that I can NOT pass up the opportunity to share one of my favorites...well, if not Irish, then Scottish!
Enjoy!
~ V
The Plan, The Teens & Tweens, and the Apple
Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
If you have followed my BLOG at all, you’d know that I have written about this passage on several different occasions. God is quite plain in telling us throughout His Word that He has plans for us and that those plans are to provide hope for a future that is in Him. During church a few weeks back, a young woman got up and shared this verse. She explained that the Holy Spirit had pressed this verse on her and after reading it, she admitted that she almost flippantly told God, ‘Yeah…you have plans for me…and?’ God came right back and told her, ‘No…you don’t understand. I, the Lord your God, have plans for you…when are YOU going to accept my plan and by faith, walk in it?’
Now, I’ve read this scripture countless times, but God, through the testimony of this girl, revealed a perspective that I had never considered before. God, in His infinite wisdom and all encompassing love, has a plan for each and every one of us. It’s not some vague, general, meandering plan, but one that has been customized for you…for me…but the deal is this, we have to decide to accept, claim and walk in His plan. God doesn’t force us to accept Him, nor does He force us to believe or accept the ultimate sacrifice His son Jesus paid for us and He’s not going to force us to accept His plans for us either. As with salvation, this is a choice we have to make...follow His perfect plan, or follow our imperfect one.
Why is it that we feel we know what’s better for our lives than God? It’s funny…we experience this very thing from our own kids…we don’t know what we’re talking about, or we’re ‘not in the know’, no matter how you cut it, our kids feel they know what’s better for themselves than us and we, well, we’re just clueless. It doesn’t matter that we’ve been down the same roads and that we have the advantage(?) of knowing the pain and disappointment that often comes from ignoring the wisdom of our parents. And on the flip side, I now know what my own parents must have felt at those times…fear that he might not make it on his own…frustration over her lack of motivation to get good grades…If he’d just take school seriously…if she’d just take my advice…and God says, ‘Hmm, apples don’t fall far from the tree…’ Wha?...Hey! I was talking about my kids! And He says, ‘Yeah, so was I!’
Oh…yeah…
~ V
If you have followed my BLOG at all, you’d know that I have written about this passage on several different occasions. God is quite plain in telling us throughout His Word that He has plans for us and that those plans are to provide hope for a future that is in Him. During church a few weeks back, a young woman got up and shared this verse. She explained that the Holy Spirit had pressed this verse on her and after reading it, she admitted that she almost flippantly told God, ‘Yeah…you have plans for me…and?’ God came right back and told her, ‘No…you don’t understand. I, the Lord your God, have plans for you…when are YOU going to accept my plan and by faith, walk in it?’
Now, I’ve read this scripture countless times, but God, through the testimony of this girl, revealed a perspective that I had never considered before. God, in His infinite wisdom and all encompassing love, has a plan for each and every one of us. It’s not some vague, general, meandering plan, but one that has been customized for you…for me…but the deal is this, we have to decide to accept, claim and walk in His plan. God doesn’t force us to accept Him, nor does He force us to believe or accept the ultimate sacrifice His son Jesus paid for us and He’s not going to force us to accept His plans for us either. As with salvation, this is a choice we have to make...follow His perfect plan, or follow our imperfect one.
Why is it that we feel we know what’s better for our lives than God? It’s funny…we experience this very thing from our own kids…we don’t know what we’re talking about, or we’re ‘not in the know’, no matter how you cut it, our kids feel they know what’s better for themselves than us and we, well, we’re just clueless. It doesn’t matter that we’ve been down the same roads and that we have the advantage(?) of knowing the pain and disappointment that often comes from ignoring the wisdom of our parents. And on the flip side, I now know what my own parents must have felt at those times…fear that he might not make it on his own…frustration over her lack of motivation to get good grades…If he’d just take school seriously…if she’d just take my advice…and God says, ‘Hmm, apples don’t fall far from the tree…’ Wha?...Hey! I was talking about my kids! And He says, ‘Yeah, so was I!’
Oh…yeah…
~ V
Come on Baby Light my Fire…
The last couple of days have been in the 40’s and I’ve been LOVING it! I actually saw a couple of Robins in our yard…so either it’s official and spring is here, or those two Robins are total bird brains! Anywho, I am here to make an official proclamation (if you were here, you could hear the fanfare trumpets and timpani drums): I hereby declare Friday, March 6th, the official start of the 2009 grilling season! During lunch (yes…I actually get to have lunch with my wife almost every day!), Lisa and I talked about what to have for supper and that’s when I said that it’s nice enough out, we should grill. You should have seen her face light up! You would have though I offered to take her on a cruise or something! We decided to have grilled Salmon and veggies. Salmon is something that I’ve never enjoyed in the past, but honestly that was just Salmon patties…(shudder). So baked or grilled Salmon is something Lisa introduced me to, and I really love it grilled. We’ve tried several recipes (Mediterranean herb or Rosemary), but tonight I left it up to Lisa and she proposed a simple house seasoning and butter recipe. Honestly, I was a little skeptical because I AM so picky about fishy taste, but it turned out perfect! It was moist and flaky and it was obvious that the Salmon was very very fresh as it tasted clean and YUMMY!
So…all of you barbecue and grilling enthusiasts, it’s time! Fill up the tanks, stock up the Kingsford, clean up the surface and fire up the grills!
Grill long, and prosper!
~ V
So…all of you barbecue and grilling enthusiasts, it’s time! Fill up the tanks, stock up the Kingsford, clean up the surface and fire up the grills!
Grill long, and prosper!
~ V
30 hours a day...
Ok, bear with me…add this up:
.5 - Wake-up and get kids started/off to school
1 - Get ready for work
.5 - Drive to and from work
9.5 - Work (on average I work 8 to 5:30)
1 - Help/make supper
.5 - Clean-up after supper
1.5 - Fix/repair something in or around the house or computer or car
1 - Deal with an issue (with 7 people in the house, there’s ALWAYS an issue)
1 - Get the little ones ready for and in bed
1.5 - Get the older ones to bed (yes…it takes longer!)
7 - Sleep
So, what’s that come to...25? Yeah, I’m quite aware there are only 24 hours in a day and yes…it’s not this way all of the time, but I think you get my point! Where’s my time spent in God’s word or prayer? Where’s the time spent with Lisa that I SO treasure? Or time to read or to BLOG or to…well, anything else? Honestly, it’s not as bad as all of that, but there ARE days that really do come close. There is SO much more I want to do…feel that I NEED to do. I’d love to try out for the agency’s yearly musical production, but where would the time come from? What would I have to sacrifice in order to commit to rehearsals? Time with the kids? Lisa? God? I’m simply not willing to make that sacrifice. This blending of two families is challenging enough as it is…I need to be here to grow Lisa’s and my relationship and nurture my relationship with her boys.
And so, as David did in Psalm 57:2, ‘I cry out to God most high, to God who accomplishes all things for me.’ And almost instantly, the Holy Spirit brought Luke 12:31 to mind…’ But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.’ …Um, honestly was that necessary? OK, maybe I did deserve that. I seriously wonder if God ever gets tired of me forgetting the basics and acting like I’m wandering around a darkened room…
What do I need to do, oh Lord? Give me wisdom…Your wisdom, Your peace, Your grace! Oh, and while you’re at it…can you give me about 30 hours in a day??
~ V
.5 - Wake-up and get kids started/off to school
1 - Get ready for work
.5 - Drive to and from work
9.5 - Work (on average I work 8 to 5:30)
1 - Help/make supper
.5 - Clean-up after supper
1.5 - Fix/repair something in or around the house or computer or car
1 - Deal with an issue (with 7 people in the house, there’s ALWAYS an issue)
1 - Get the little ones ready for and in bed
1.5 - Get the older ones to bed (yes…it takes longer!)
7 - Sleep
So, what’s that come to...25? Yeah, I’m quite aware there are only 24 hours in a day and yes…it’s not this way all of the time, but I think you get my point! Where’s my time spent in God’s word or prayer? Where’s the time spent with Lisa that I SO treasure? Or time to read or to BLOG or to…well, anything else? Honestly, it’s not as bad as all of that, but there ARE days that really do come close. There is SO much more I want to do…feel that I NEED to do. I’d love to try out for the agency’s yearly musical production, but where would the time come from? What would I have to sacrifice in order to commit to rehearsals? Time with the kids? Lisa? God? I’m simply not willing to make that sacrifice. This blending of two families is challenging enough as it is…I need to be here to grow Lisa’s and my relationship and nurture my relationship with her boys.
And so, as David did in Psalm 57:2, ‘I cry out to God most high, to God who accomplishes all things for me.’ And almost instantly, the Holy Spirit brought Luke 12:31 to mind…’ But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.’ …Um, honestly was that necessary? OK, maybe I did deserve that. I seriously wonder if God ever gets tired of me forgetting the basics and acting like I’m wandering around a darkened room…
What do I need to do, oh Lord? Give me wisdom…Your wisdom, Your peace, Your grace! Oh, and while you’re at it…can you give me about 30 hours in a day??
~ V
New look...
Just a quick note to announce the new look of my Blog. I feel the background and image, better reflects the title...hope you feel likewise!
Vince
Vince
Facebook and other scary things...
Yes, I have succumbed to the prompting of family & friends and have
joined the ranks of millions of others on Facebook. For those of you who live under a rock and may not know what Facebook is, it’s a free social networking website where users can join networks (groups) organized by city, workplace, school, and personal interests to connect and interact with other people of like interest. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. While I generally consider Facebook an incredible waste of time, there are some aspects of it that I find interesting. It's fun to 'find' and reconnect with people I've fallen out of touch with and it's fun to read people's funny comments.
Now, my older sister, Denise, has been on Facebook considerably longer then I, which if you knew Denise is actually pretty odd in and of itself, and so I've just sat back and have observed her postings, comments...etc for awhile now, partially to see how Facebook operates and to see how technically savvy my older sister has become (again...if you know Denise...). To her credit, it has become apparent that she is very comfortable with Facebook and I'd even go so far as to say that she's most likely an expert! She has mastered most of the on-line speech acronyms and has even taken it to a new level and has added some of her own 'short-hand' (which, at times, takes me awhile to decipher!). The other night, I logged into my Facebook page and looking through the comments of my various friends and family, I noticed one from Denise, which read; 'Denise Became a Fan of Kinder Surprise.' This intrigued me because along with the comment was a picture of this egg shaped...something, wrapped in a colorful wrapper.
So I clicked on the picture, which took me to a Facebook 'Fan' site for Kinder Surprise...I thought, 'OK...a candy egg...big deal.' and then I noticed that there was a link to a video for Kinder Surprise...to say that I wasn't prepared for what I saw next is a HUGE understatement. Now...it wasn't crude or graphic in anyway, so don't worry about that...however, in MY humble opinion, it DOES warrant a completely new category of weird, odd and yes...creepy! See if you agree...
And now...ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the disturbing weirdness that IS Kinder Surprise...(click link below)
Kinder Surprise
~ Vince
joined the ranks of millions of others on Facebook. For those of you who live under a rock and may not know what Facebook is, it’s a free social networking website where users can join networks (groups) organized by city, workplace, school, and personal interests to connect and interact with other people of like interest. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. While I generally consider Facebook an incredible waste of time, there are some aspects of it that I find interesting. It's fun to 'find' and reconnect with people I've fallen out of touch with and it's fun to read people's funny comments.
Now, my older sister, Denise, has been on Facebook considerably longer then I, which if you knew Denise is actually pretty odd in and of itself, and so I've just sat back and have observed her postings, comments...etc for awhile now, partially to see how Facebook operates and to see how technically savvy my older sister has become (again...if you know Denise...). To her credit, it has become apparent that she is very comfortable with Facebook and I'd even go so far as to say that she's most likely an expert! She has mastered most of the on-line speech acronyms and has even taken it to a new level and has added some of her own 'short-hand' (which, at times, takes me awhile to decipher!). The other night, I logged into my Facebook page and looking through the comments of my various friends and family, I noticed one from Denise, which read; 'Denise Became a Fan of Kinder Surprise.' This intrigued me because along with the comment was a picture of this egg shaped...something, wrapped in a colorful wrapper.
So I clicked on the picture, which took me to a Facebook 'Fan' site for Kinder Surprise...I thought, 'OK...a candy egg...big deal.' and then I noticed that there was a link to a video for Kinder Surprise...to say that I wasn't prepared for what I saw next is a HUGE understatement. Now...it wasn't crude or graphic in anyway, so don't worry about that...however, in MY humble opinion, it DOES warrant a completely new category of weird, odd and yes...creepy! See if you agree...
And now...ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the disturbing weirdness that IS Kinder Surprise...(click link below)
Kinder Surprise
~ Vince
Superman Who?
The father clutched his son’s tiny hand warmly.
"Do you know what I wanna be when I grow up Daddy?" The child brightly asked.
It was a sunny Sunday morning...too early for many people to be out, but Josh had insisted. All through the week, the boy would wait anxiously for his father to come home from work. Working late, there wasn’t much time left for him to play or get involved with his son like he wanted or should. A sweet boy with a heart of gold, the innocence of the young surrounded him and lit his face. It was the age of dreams and seeing only happy endings; the age of dreaming about what one wants to be when one grows up and believing that it would turn out exactly that way.
“What?”
“I wanna be a pilot!” Josh said loudly, laughing with pure happiness. “I wanna fly and see where the birdies go off too!” His eyes shone with joy.
“And what will you do once you find out?”
“I will try to find Tootsie...and then I’ll bring him home!” The child smiled, cute little dimples forming at the end of his lips as he did.
“Good! I bet we'll have a great time with Tootsie”, Josh seemed very sure of that and nodded eagerly.
Tootsie was Josh’s pet parrot. Tootsie and Mr. Cuddles, the teddy bear, were the best; and while Mr. Cuddles went to bed with Josh, the parrot stayed out of the bedroom. One day when he woke up, he realized he had left the cage near an open window, giving Brutus, the neighborhood alley cat, the chance to have him as his personal "dinner guest". Josh would never have forgiven himself, so he was told that Tootsie had gone to visit friends, and maybe he’s staying because he likes it there with his old pals.
“Daddy?”, Josh said with imploring eyes.
“Yes son?” he said as he pulled him up in his arms.
“When I’m big and strong like you, will you take me to your office with you?”
“Of course I will champ!”
“And… and”, the boy was trying to think of different possibilities. “And when I’m big and strong just like you, will you still play with me?”
“Of course! You’ll be a big man like daddy is, and daddy will be proud.” He smiled warmly at Josh. Josh hugged his father in as tight a hug as he could muster.
“Daddy”, The boy hugged his father tighter. “You’re the only one who can open the jelly jar when mom can’t. I told Pete at school that you're just like Superman! He said his dad is stronger than my dad, but then I told him you can even go into the basement without any light on and the monster in the basement can’t even scare you off!” The child laughed with satisfaction.
“Did you now?” Daddy smiled at Josh.
“Yes”, the boy was in such high spirits. “And I also told him about that day you cut yourself shavin’ and you didn’t get even kissed for it and… and it didn’t hurt you ‘cause you’re brave and… and you weren’t sad for getting’ cut.” The boy swelled with pride. “Daddy…” the boy grew serious.
“Yeah bud?”
“How come you take so many pictures of us, but you’re never in them?”
“Well…” he thought for a moment. “That’s ‘cause…”
“Daddy I want a photo of you so I can show Pete how big and strong you are!” he said without letting him finish. The boy hugged his father again and smiled. He held Josh closer to him.
“I love you Daddy. You’re the best! And you ARE just like Superman! My daddy's SUPERMAN!" he gave his dad a sweet kiss on the cheek.
“I love you too son! You’re the purest form of love I have ever seen.” The boy clearly didn’t understand what his father meant and he didn’t even bother with it. He just hugged his dad…his very own Superman and clung on to his protective arms.
The images of being a young boy, looking up at my father and seeing him as the man of steel, is very real for me. Dad was stronger than anyone I knew and I was sure he could lift a car! He was smarter than anyone I knew as well...he knew how to fix a car, knew how to start a campfire and knew just when the fish would bite. He knew how to play baseball, knew how to make something out of wood and knew advanced math. To my young mind, dad was a superman...
I'm not exactly sure when it happened, or how old I was, but something happened and one day I noticed that his red boots were really just old, worn work boots...his cape was nothing more than a windbreaker. My dad wasn't superman. For a time, that realization really shook me. Finding out that there really isn't a Santa Clause or Easter Bunny, is a passage of maturity, but realizing that your dad really isn't superman...well...it changes how a boy views the world; If dad isn't superman, maybe he isn't so strong after all...maybe he doesn't know as much as I thought... maybe he doesn't always know best. There was even a time when I marked dad as a villain...sort of an anti-superman if you will. Perceived injustices, stubbornness and seeking my own independence, often pitted my will against dad's (and if you know my dad, that isn't always the smartest thing to do)...at times, I wondered what happened...where was superman?
The years past and I eventually had a son of my own... I had came to terms with the fact that dad wasn't superman long before, but the shock of that realization still affected me...as I proudly held my new son, I swore that things would be different...I would be different. I was there when he took his first step...there when he first said 'Da-da' and I was there to see the wonderment of his first Christmas on his face. I taught him how to throw a ball...catch a pass and I taught him how to ride a bike. Many times, while Trevor grew, I caught him looking at me...almost exactly the same way I would look at my own dad.
As he got a little older, I started coaching the baseball and basketball teams he was in. I loved coaching, especially baseball, and I took pride in watching how the boys matured and improved their skills over the 3 or 4 years that I coached them. It was during the last year that I coached that I started seeing a change in Trevor. I don't know if it was expectations on his part or simple familiarity with me being his coach for so long, but he started challenging my coaching and while I was OK with him talking to me privately about his issues, there was a particular game where he let it all out for all to hear...in the middle of an inning...while he was on the pitchers mound. As head coach, you MUST maintain the respect and authority of the team as a whole and with that in mind, Trevor gave me no choice, but to send him to the bench. He threw his glove into the dugout and as he past me I again, caught a look in his eyes that brought memories crashing back...this time however, it almost brought me to my knees...there was disdain in that look and a sense...a feeling of betrayal...I no longer was superman...I was the villain. Guilt and remorse weighed down on me like heavy bags of wet sand...I was no better...despite my promise, I was no better. What did this mean? I KNOW I loved my son...wanted nothing but the best for him. I freely gave of myself and enjoyed doing so...and in spite of that, I was no longer superman. I felt like I had failed...
I've had several years to contemplate my fall from hero status and I've come to the conclusion that the 'fall' is inevitable. Every father/son relationship WILL pass through this valley at some point in time and honestly, that's not a bad thing! I think what matters is how the father handles it afterwards. Do you withdraw from your son and let yourself become a shadow of the man you once were? Or do you persevere and press on with your son? The choice is OURS...he is waiting...if you don't pick yourself up, dust off the remnants of your alter-ego, and just be the best dad you know how, your fate and your son's memories both will be sealed...
Oh...and I've finally come to understand that while some of the choices that dad made may have been harsh or not ones that I personally would have made, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he tried his very best to provide for us. He worked LONG, hard hours to give his family a home, clothes and food. And many times, after working all day, would come home to find a broken down car or appliance that needed to be fixed. He took pride in his work and the fact that he was a self-made man. Dad did the best he knew how to and it was through his providing that he showed his love to us. Dad? I just want you to know that after these many years, I understand and I want you to know that I appreciate the sacrifices you had to make for us and that I love you for it and you know what? I think that's pretty Super...
Thank you Dad...thank you for being my Superman...
Vince
"Do you know what I wanna be when I grow up Daddy?" The child brightly asked.
It was a sunny Sunday morning...too early for many people to be out, but Josh had insisted. All through the week, the boy would wait anxiously for his father to come home from work. Working late, there wasn’t much time left for him to play or get involved with his son like he wanted or should. A sweet boy with a heart of gold, the innocence of the young surrounded him and lit his face. It was the age of dreams and seeing only happy endings; the age of dreaming about what one wants to be when one grows up and believing that it would turn out exactly that way.
“What?”
“I wanna be a pilot!” Josh said loudly, laughing with pure happiness. “I wanna fly and see where the birdies go off too!” His eyes shone with joy.
“And what will you do once you find out?”
“I will try to find Tootsie...and then I’ll bring him home!” The child smiled, cute little dimples forming at the end of his lips as he did.
“Good! I bet we'll have a great time with Tootsie”, Josh seemed very sure of that and nodded eagerly.
Tootsie was Josh’s pet parrot. Tootsie and Mr. Cuddles, the teddy bear, were the best; and while Mr. Cuddles went to bed with Josh, the parrot stayed out of the bedroom. One day when he woke up, he realized he had left the cage near an open window, giving Brutus, the neighborhood alley cat, the chance to have him as his personal "dinner guest". Josh would never have forgiven himself, so he was told that Tootsie had gone to visit friends, and maybe he’s staying because he likes it there with his old pals.
“Daddy?”, Josh said with imploring eyes.
“Yes son?” he said as he pulled him up in his arms.
“When I’m big and strong like you, will you take me to your office with you?”
“Of course I will champ!”
“And… and”, the boy was trying to think of different possibilities. “And when I’m big and strong just like you, will you still play with me?”
“Of course! You’ll be a big man like daddy is, and daddy will be proud.” He smiled warmly at Josh. Josh hugged his father in as tight a hug as he could muster.
“Daddy”, The boy hugged his father tighter. “You’re the only one who can open the jelly jar when mom can’t. I told Pete at school that you're just like Superman! He said his dad is stronger than my dad, but then I told him you can even go into the basement without any light on and the monster in the basement can’t even scare you off!” The child laughed with satisfaction.
“Did you now?” Daddy smiled at Josh.
“Yes”, the boy was in such high spirits. “And I also told him about that day you cut yourself shavin’ and you didn’t get even kissed for it and… and it didn’t hurt you ‘cause you’re brave and… and you weren’t sad for getting’ cut.” The boy swelled with pride. “Daddy…” the boy grew serious.
“Yeah bud?”
“How come you take so many pictures of us, but you’re never in them?”
“Well…” he thought for a moment. “That’s ‘cause…”
“Daddy I want a photo of you so I can show Pete how big and strong you are!” he said without letting him finish. The boy hugged his father again and smiled. He held Josh closer to him.
“I love you Daddy. You’re the best! And you ARE just like Superman! My daddy's SUPERMAN!" he gave his dad a sweet kiss on the cheek.
“I love you too son! You’re the purest form of love I have ever seen.” The boy clearly didn’t understand what his father meant and he didn’t even bother with it. He just hugged his dad…his very own Superman and clung on to his protective arms.
The images of being a young boy, looking up at my father and seeing him as the man of steel, is very real for me. Dad was stronger than anyone I knew and I was sure he could lift a car! He was smarter than anyone I knew as well...he knew how to fix a car, knew how to start a campfire and knew just when the fish would bite. He knew how to play baseball, knew how to make something out of wood and knew advanced math. To my young mind, dad was a superman...
I'm not exactly sure when it happened, or how old I was, but something happened and one day I noticed that his red boots were really just old, worn work boots...his cape was nothing more than a windbreaker. My dad wasn't superman. For a time, that realization really shook me. Finding out that there really isn't a Santa Clause or Easter Bunny, is a passage of maturity, but realizing that your dad really isn't superman...well...it changes how a boy views the world; If dad isn't superman, maybe he isn't so strong after all...maybe he doesn't know as much as I thought... maybe he doesn't always know best. There was even a time when I marked dad as a villain...sort of an anti-superman if you will. Perceived injustices, stubbornness and seeking my own independence, often pitted my will against dad's (and if you know my dad, that isn't always the smartest thing to do)...at times, I wondered what happened...where was superman?
The years past and I eventually had a son of my own... I had came to terms with the fact that dad wasn't superman long before, but the shock of that realization still affected me...as I proudly held my new son, I swore that things would be different...I would be different. I was there when he took his first step...there when he first said 'Da-da' and I was there to see the wonderment of his first Christmas on his face. I taught him how to throw a ball...catch a pass and I taught him how to ride a bike. Many times, while Trevor grew, I caught him looking at me...almost exactly the same way I would look at my own dad.
As he got a little older, I started coaching the baseball and basketball teams he was in. I loved coaching, especially baseball, and I took pride in watching how the boys matured and improved their skills over the 3 or 4 years that I coached them. It was during the last year that I coached that I started seeing a change in Trevor. I don't know if it was expectations on his part or simple familiarity with me being his coach for so long, but he started challenging my coaching and while I was OK with him talking to me privately about his issues, there was a particular game where he let it all out for all to hear...in the middle of an inning...while he was on the pitchers mound. As head coach, you MUST maintain the respect and authority of the team as a whole and with that in mind, Trevor gave me no choice, but to send him to the bench. He threw his glove into the dugout and as he past me I again, caught a look in his eyes that brought memories crashing back...this time however, it almost brought me to my knees...there was disdain in that look and a sense...a feeling of betrayal...I no longer was superman...I was the villain. Guilt and remorse weighed down on me like heavy bags of wet sand...I was no better...despite my promise, I was no better. What did this mean? I KNOW I loved my son...wanted nothing but the best for him. I freely gave of myself and enjoyed doing so...and in spite of that, I was no longer superman. I felt like I had failed...
I've had several years to contemplate my fall from hero status and I've come to the conclusion that the 'fall' is inevitable. Every father/son relationship WILL pass through this valley at some point in time and honestly, that's not a bad thing! I think what matters is how the father handles it afterwards. Do you withdraw from your son and let yourself become a shadow of the man you once were? Or do you persevere and press on with your son? The choice is OURS...he is waiting...if you don't pick yourself up, dust off the remnants of your alter-ego, and just be the best dad you know how, your fate and your son's memories both will be sealed...
Oh...and I've finally come to understand that while some of the choices that dad made may have been harsh or not ones that I personally would have made, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he tried his very best to provide for us. He worked LONG, hard hours to give his family a home, clothes and food. And many times, after working all day, would come home to find a broken down car or appliance that needed to be fixed. He took pride in his work and the fact that he was a self-made man. Dad did the best he knew how to and it was through his providing that he showed his love to us. Dad? I just want you to know that after these many years, I understand and I want you to know that I appreciate the sacrifices you had to make for us and that I love you for it and you know what? I think that's pretty Super...
Thank you Dad...thank you for being my Superman...
Vince
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From an early age, Hope had wanted to take dance. We are a very musical family and on any given day, if you happened to be walking past our... -
“There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” “There are only two k...
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.....My mind and heart are squeezed of their juices and their strength and essence have drained out of me. Vacillating between thought and f...