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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,037 |
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Sorry, no flashy photos to accompany this post.....just a little brag on my youngest son.
This young man of 28 years is working his way through college, paying his own way, sometimes working two jobs to make ends met. He keeps his nose clean and shows respect for his elders. We help him out when we can, but he is mostly doing this on his own to honor his deceased granny. She was a teacher, and they loved each other dearly.
He went back to school and got his GED after dropping out for a short time. The kid has been busting his butt studying archtectural CAD design, and has made the Dean's List for three straight semesters. The Dean's List !
I know he doesn't have much extra cash to spend of "stuff", so today I bought him a 2009 Silver Eagle MS-70. Then I wrote him a short letter explaining my purchase. He already knows I collect old Morgans, so this won't come as a total shock to him. But it's still a surprise I think he'll enjoy.
Every son yearns for the respect of his father. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that he makes us proud each and every single day. He gets it.
Last year we gave both sons rifles for Christmas. This year, I think I'm gonna give more silver.
And, no.......I won't adopt you  Edited by CitizenPatriot
11/04/2011 12:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
Your obviously really proud of your son, and from someone who trains 16 to 17 year old at-risk boys to get their lives back on track, I can tell you are one hundred percent right. All they want is their parents to be proud of them.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
CitizenPatriot, you are a great citizen and also a great parent, if there would be more like you wouldn't the world be so much better, great job keep it up you will be rewarded some day just wait and see.  |
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Valued Member
United States
304 Posts |
After losing my father to heart disease back in May, it is somewhat amazing to me how much, even at the age of 31, of what I did was to make him proud. I still strive every day to make him proud.
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Valued Member
 United States
158 Posts |
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You're obviously really proud of your son, and from someone who trains 16 to 17 year old at-risk boys to get their lives back on track, I can tell you are one hundred percent right. All they want is their parents to be proud of them.
Thanks, Mitch. I make it a point to let them know how proud I am of their accomplishments, large and small. This is just one more method of expressing that.
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CitizenPatriot, you are a great citizen and also a great parent. If there would be more like you wouldn't the world be so much better. Great job keep it up you will be rewarded some day just wait and see.
Shaft, I can only take 1/2 the credit. The rest goes to my bride of almost 30 years. I say the kid "gets it", meaning he realizes the benefit of having an intact family unit. He once came and thanked us for hanging together as man & wife (no easy task these days) because almost all his peers came from broken homes. He also knows the value of giving - this is a kid that will take time to help an elderly stranger carry their groceries to their car, hold the door open for a lady, etc. because he watched me do these very things growing up. As a teen, he helped care for an elderly neighbor with no other family to help him - for SEVEN years ! Not many teens these days are so considerate.
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After losing my father to heart disease back in May, it is somewhat amazing to me how much, even at the age of 31, of what I did was to make him proud. I still strive every day to make him proud.
bjones, I have no doubt that your own father is smiling down at that remark. Sorry for your loss. Your comment goes directly to my point - fathers, especially, need to communicate that message somehow, no matter the method. I wrote him a short letter, in my own hand, explaining the reasons for the gift. At the tender age of 28, he is concentrating on the "here and now". I am trying to subtly nudge him into the future - told him his Silver Eagle was a kind of "jump-start" on a precious metals IRA. I have no doubt that he'll get the message. His older brother is now married and we are expecting our first granddaughter soon, and I know the family's attention will soon shift to the new baby. This is one more reason why I'm sending the gift.
I'm a very fortunate man. My own father is 90 and in frail health, but his mind is very sharp and he is a shrewd investor. Although Dad is in TX and I am in MI, we talk almost every day on the phone. I value his advice and opinions, especially. We can learn so much from our elders if we'll only listen.
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Valued Member
United States
320 Posts |
"We can learn so much from our elders if we'll only listen."--
I'd like to add to that.... as important as learning from our elders is, it is equally as important to pass it along. For, to someone else, YOU may well be the wise elder. Even if you're only 30. Or 20. Or 5.
That's something I think people struggle with at times (myself included). Remembering that your own experiences can be just as useful and require passing on. The most humble people (and therefore the least likely to specifically do the mentoring) often have the most to teach, and without a specific conscious effort that doesn't get done.
Sounds like Patriot has got that already and that's great. The world could use more of that.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
573 Posts |
Hey CP, I see you're from Michigan. Were you involved with the Jackson Citizen Patriot? I worked there briefly in the sports department in the early 90s.
BTW - great job with your son. My father died when I was a kid so all the stuff you're doing with/for your son I am learning by trial and error with my kids. The other way is from the great example of people like you teaching me.
Edited by StJoeBlues
11/04/2011 7:03 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
It sounds like you have a great family. I think it's great that you are so close to your sons and better still that you let them know.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Thanks for the kind words, y'all. Nope, I was never involved with the newspaper....it's a screen name I've used for years. He's the "kid" in the middle.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
At the other end of life, other things can happen.
You can go to your grave over concern about your kids.
My brother, who was a doctor, was killed in a car crash, when he was 47 years old.
My father didn't make it either. He died of cancer, induced by grief, 18 months later. At least, that what my mother reckoned.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
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You can go to your grave over concern about your kids.
Yeah, I suppose one could go overboard, but I was never one to do that. I taught both young men to be independent, yet considerate of others. Thankfully, this has carried over into their adult lives.
I live near and work in downtown Detroit for the State Police. The odds of my life ending tragically are probably a bit higher than the average, but I do not dwell on that. If I can survive until retirement in another eighteen months I figure I will have beat the odds....then I'm gonna move SOUTH somewhere.Edited by CitizenPatriot
11/05/2011 8:50 pm
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Valued Member
United States
320 Posts |
CP-- anyone ever told you you look like John Larroquete? Not sure if I am spelling that right but you know who I'm talking about right?
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Great photo. Beautiful family!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
CitizenPatriot:
An officer with the Detroit State Police? That makes you somewhat of a hero in my estimation. Your forum name seems quite appropriate.
I am eight weeks from retirement. After nearly 53 years in the workforce, I could do with a bit of a temporary rest. However, I will continue to physically demand of myself to remain actively healthy. I am paranoid about rusting away!
I am seriously considering rejoining the workforce after about a year off. Perhaps employment as a car detailer would be fine. I would much rather be paid to exercise, than to pay for it. Nevertheless, my retirement income, which is automatically inflation adjusted, would be more than double what a car detailer could earn in full time work. I would just help my kids with their mortgages, with the excess cash that I would earn.
I would very much like you to get to where you want to in retirement, in 18 months time. Like me, I think you have earned it. Just don't go too far south, where the climate can be TOO hot and steamy.
I reckon San Diego, climate wise, is the best place to live in the U.S.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I enjoyed reading that, thank you ;-)
I only hope I can have a son like that one day.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Moderator
United States
188183 Posts |
Great story! |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,037 |
Posted 11/04/2011 05:56 am
