No one motivates people to think and feel the way you do. No one is as honest and courageous and open hearted as you. Happy early 50th birthday and thanks for reminding people that life is an ongoing process, omitted grief and joy. And you’re going to find this bizarre. Yesterday I was walking For exercise, and I started to think about my past, and the fact that people often called me rambunctious. I studied that word I thought about what it meant. I smiled and hear you use the word today. Oh I love serendipity. My mom would always tell me to look for the good and I would find it and I have. And a lot of that good comes from watching you dive through life, inviting the next wave to crash over you while you searched to the surface. You are an inspiration for me, and I know so many others. I also could relate to the fact that I was in every girl sport you could be in my high school, and also two sports in college. My parents never saw me play in one game. They were too busy working and I could totally understand that. My mother had never played sports. My dad was an athlete, but I reminded myself he taught me how to play baseball, golf, basketball, and self-defense. He was with me in my heart. He taught me work ethic that the newspaper had to get out and it was his newspaper so if he had to be at work 18 hours then that was the way it was. But I knew I was loved. I’m so grateful you had friends and relatives. Who believed in you. So important, but most of all you learned to believe in yourself. When I think about you carrying that shotput around in your backpack, it blows my mind. Talk about motivation. I wish every kid and teenager could read this post. Even though you don’t have a mom with you here on earth, there are a lot of us that are so incredibly proud of you, and glad we have a son like you by proxy. Love you on Mother’s Day, your birthday, and every day!
Thanks for your kind comment, Todd. At college I played basketball the first year and that was saying a lot for somebody 5 feet 1. I got slaughtered, but at least I played. My dad had taught me to shoot from afar because I was so little . My joyful college claim to fame personally was being on the varsity field hockey team and making the all college conference. I had a terrific coach who challenged me to switch from an offensive position to defense, and I will always thank her for that.
It is my privilege to be your Wisconsin/Mexico mom from afar. You never cease to amaze me, and I am honored more than words can say.
Last ever set of gigs. He’s 83. Retired with hearing problems in 2018 but has had some improvement. He was spellbinding. Obvs paid homage to the King via Memphis on route from London 😉
Ugh man, right in the feels. The relationship with my mother is difficult. It feels like we were estranged but we're not. I'm keeping a healthy distance. I have compassion for her. But I feel envious of the people that emanate so much love for their mothers.
I feel she did the best with what she had, no emotional literacy coming from a family where her father was a police colonel and was beaten up by her. She did her best to raise me. Her love was expressed through buying me stuff. Always the provider. But after being heavy bullied I needed some other type of protection.
I bought her some chocolates now, that were Uber delivered. I feel like shit for not feeling the need to embrace her. I feel love for her in the way one feels for the canon of a mother. Protective, embracing. She doesn't know much to embrace, much less to express honestly love.
And so, I cry silently while reading this and thinking just how I can be a better father, and trying to keep a healthy relationship with my Mom, in whatever years she may have left.
This is intense. You are a good man to have that compassion. An evolved man. No wonder you’re such an engaged dad - reversing that shit. This is what you should write about.
Thanks so much, Todd. I don’t think I have a picture of me playing either sport. If I do, it might be in a scrapbook. When I return to Wisconsin from Mexico, I’ll see if I can find it! Thanks for caring.
No one motivates people to think and feel the way you do. No one is as honest and courageous and open hearted as you. Happy early 50th birthday and thanks for reminding people that life is an ongoing process, omitted grief and joy. And you’re going to find this bizarre. Yesterday I was walking For exercise, and I started to think about my past, and the fact that people often called me rambunctious. I studied that word I thought about what it meant. I smiled and hear you use the word today. Oh I love serendipity. My mom would always tell me to look for the good and I would find it and I have. And a lot of that good comes from watching you dive through life, inviting the next wave to crash over you while you searched to the surface. You are an inspiration for me, and I know so many others. I also could relate to the fact that I was in every girl sport you could be in my high school, and also two sports in college. My parents never saw me play in one game. They were too busy working and I could totally understand that. My mother had never played sports. My dad was an athlete, but I reminded myself he taught me how to play baseball, golf, basketball, and self-defense. He was with me in my heart. He taught me work ethic that the newspaper had to get out and it was his newspaper so if he had to be at work 18 hours then that was the way it was. But I knew I was loved. I’m so grateful you had friends and relatives. Who believed in you. So important, but most of all you learned to believe in yourself. When I think about you carrying that shotput around in your backpack, it blows my mind. Talk about motivation. I wish every kid and teenager could read this post. Even though you don’t have a mom with you here on earth, there are a lot of us that are so incredibly proud of you, and glad we have a son like you by proxy. Love you on Mother’s Day, your birthday, and every day!
Thanks Judy. Your dad sounds incredible. And you. What sports did you play in college?
You know I think of you as another mom from afar.
Thanks for your kind comment, Todd. At college I played basketball the first year and that was saying a lot for somebody 5 feet 1. I got slaughtered, but at least I played. My dad had taught me to shoot from afar because I was so little . My joyful college claim to fame personally was being on the varsity field hockey team and making the all college conference. I had a terrific coach who challenged me to switch from an offensive position to defense, and I will always thank her for that.
It is my privilege to be your Wisconsin/Mexico mom from afar. You never cease to amaze me, and I am honored more than words can say.
You’re the jam Judy. You gotta post a pic of you on the field or court.
Happy Big Boy Birthday for the week ahead Todd. From NASHVILLE 🔥
Thanks Carlo! What cover music have you heard so far that rocked? Love Nashville
So much, too many to list. But better than that Todd - we got to see the legend that is Paul Simon last night at the Ryman. Sensational
He’s still playing? Wow.
Last ever set of gigs. He’s 83. Retired with hearing problems in 2018 but has had some improvement. He was spellbinding. Obvs paid homage to the King via Memphis on route from London 😉
Ugh man, right in the feels. The relationship with my mother is difficult. It feels like we were estranged but we're not. I'm keeping a healthy distance. I have compassion for her. But I feel envious of the people that emanate so much love for their mothers.
I feel she did the best with what she had, no emotional literacy coming from a family where her father was a police colonel and was beaten up by her. She did her best to raise me. Her love was expressed through buying me stuff. Always the provider. But after being heavy bullied I needed some other type of protection.
I bought her some chocolates now, that were Uber delivered. I feel like shit for not feeling the need to embrace her. I feel love for her in the way one feels for the canon of a mother. Protective, embracing. She doesn't know much to embrace, much less to express honestly love.
And so, I cry silently while reading this and thinking just how I can be a better father, and trying to keep a healthy relationship with my Mom, in whatever years she may have left.
This is intense. You are a good man to have that compassion. An evolved man. No wonder you’re such an engaged dad - reversing that shit. This is what you should write about.
Thanks so much, Todd. I don’t think I have a picture of me playing either sport. If I do, it might be in a scrapbook. When I return to Wisconsin from Mexico, I’ll see if I can find it! Thanks for caring.
The word omitted was a spellcheck change and don’t get me started about spellcheck I dictated Emitting :-)