My son's baptism was more than a religious ceremony. It helped me understand my own father and the hard and unseen paths he walked during his tragic life.
Thanks Peter. Always worth the time reading your posts. I feel this. My brother and I have lamented often about having not just one, but two parents we don't really look up to, respect, or trust in word or deed. I have gone through many emotional ups and downs processing who my parents are and the amount of compassion I have for them at any given moment. Your story reminds me that even though I have known them my whole life, I still don't know their full story(ies). Grace for grace...
This froze and melted my heart, and reminded me of something I've known for decades: Nikki is very wise. Her comment brought tears. Cheers to all the parents out there carrying their respective pots of boiling water.
Cheers to that. I think about Nikki’s grace and deftness in thinking about these complexities all the time. She could have been “no no no, you’re too harsh on your dad” and shut me down in that moment. She was the opposite of that - pulled me close and dried my tears and then we explored the meaning of the pain together. She is everything.
We envy what others have but never how they got it. I speak of you often to my son as one of the strongest men I have known. Maybe literally, too, if this powerlifting thing proves tenacious.
It’s so wonderful to see this comment from my great missionary trainer! You taught me so much more than just how to teach and how to speak Portuguese (though you were a great teacher there too). Thank you for that legacy.
And I promise, ten years in, that I am very strong under the bar indeed! :)
such a touching story about Dads and their crucial impact in our lives. As you know I lost my amazing Dad at the same age and got a loser of a step father. I knew who I wanted to emulate despite such a negative role model for most of my life. So impressed Peter how you evolved and grew to new heights thru adversity in your life. You undoubtedly had a great father who loved you despite his challenges. What an amazing model of a man and Dad you are to your wonderful kiddos. Thanks for taking the time so share this and brighten my Day! Greg D
Greg, you are one of the role models in my life who has shown me what a good dad can be. I am very grateful for my dad, including the ways he has shown me paths not to go down. I’m very grateful too for surrogate dads like you who show me the paths to follow.
Thanks Peter. Always worth the time reading your posts. I feel this. My brother and I have lamented often about having not just one, but two parents we don't really look up to, respect, or trust in word or deed. I have gone through many emotional ups and downs processing who my parents are and the amount of compassion I have for them at any given moment. Your story reminds me that even though I have known them my whole life, I still don't know their full story(ies). Grace for grace...
Grace for Grace indeed my friend. The alternatives will brine our souls.
This froze and melted my heart, and reminded me of something I've known for decades: Nikki is very wise. Her comment brought tears. Cheers to all the parents out there carrying their respective pots of boiling water.
Cheers to that. I think about Nikki’s grace and deftness in thinking about these complexities all the time. She could have been “no no no, you’re too harsh on your dad” and shut me down in that moment. She was the opposite of that - pulled me close and dried my tears and then we explored the meaning of the pain together. She is everything.
We envy what others have but never how they got it. I speak of you often to my son as one of the strongest men I have known. Maybe literally, too, if this powerlifting thing proves tenacious.
It’s so wonderful to see this comment from my great missionary trainer! You taught me so much more than just how to teach and how to speak Portuguese (though you were a great teacher there too). Thank you for that legacy.
And I promise, ten years in, that I am very strong under the bar indeed! :)
such a touching story about Dads and their crucial impact in our lives. As you know I lost my amazing Dad at the same age and got a loser of a step father. I knew who I wanted to emulate despite such a negative role model for most of my life. So impressed Peter how you evolved and grew to new heights thru adversity in your life. You undoubtedly had a great father who loved you despite his challenges. What an amazing model of a man and Dad you are to your wonderful kiddos. Thanks for taking the time so share this and brighten my Day! Greg D
Greg, you are one of the role models in my life who has shown me what a good dad can be. I am very grateful for my dad, including the ways he has shown me paths not to go down. I’m very grateful too for surrogate dads like you who show me the paths to follow.