Comments on A welcome revelation.

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Blanche...
Yes, I am planning on being there for sure!

posted by A_Norseman on October 30, 2006 at 9:25 AM | link to this | reply

Alf, I hope we're still on for the poetry reading, the one below.
Like I said, your dog is more than welcome, and I checked with Julian, the time limit for each reader may be about 5 minutes depending on how many readers, we need to keep the total event to two hours. 

posted by Blanche. on October 29, 2006 at 6:40 PM | link to this | reply

Wow, Alf!
You really have great kids and they sure love you (with good reason.) What a sweet thing to say.

posted by SpitFire70 on October 26, 2006 at 7:11 PM | link to this | reply

It's wonderful to hear those sentiments from our children
even though they hand them out somewhat sparingly.  When they hit the air though - boy do they hit!

posted by Troosha on October 26, 2006 at 4:27 PM | link to this | reply

Julia...
Honestly, I don't know if they would be shocked or not.  It's good to know he still feels he needs me though.

posted by A_Norseman on October 26, 2006 at 2:32 PM | link to this | reply

I'm glad you realized it.
And I am sure they would be shocked to know that you had never realized it before. We tend to take so much for granted, including how people feel about us...it's a shame really, to take anything for granted and not truly express what is in our hearts.

posted by Julia. on October 26, 2006 at 9:33 AM | link to this | reply

That's good, Alf, I'm sure your son will be relieved.

posted by Blanche. on October 25, 2006 at 11:29 PM | link to this | reply

Blanche...
Well, the chance of them raising the limit on me is low, the chance of me finding someone I would trust Adrienne with is even lower.  I'm probably not going anywhere.

posted by A_Norseman on October 25, 2006 at 11:27 PM | link to this | reply

Alf, you will always be your son's Dad, you may not have to take an active
role in his life, but you're a grandpa now, right?  Who's going to spoil the grandkids and teach them all the cool stuff Don't be running off to join the foreign legion, you're family will always need you. 

posted by Blanche. on October 25, 2006 at 8:17 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks Jacenta...I appreciate it alot.

posted by A_Norseman on October 25, 2006 at 4:13 PM | link to this | reply

A_Norseman...
Now, I have tears in my eyes.  I felt the emotion build as I read the words of your son.  Of course they feel the need of knowing you are there.  Young people are busy with their own lives, but although it is normal and healthy for the apron strings to be cut, they still love us just as much!  They live their own lives just as we did when we left home, but they never forget us.  

posted by jacentaOld on October 25, 2006 at 3:42 PM | link to this | reply

Chrylann...
Thank you for your comments.  I agree, I'm sure that is the way it is with most kids of that age.  Heck, it's probably how I would have been if I hadn't been in the Army.  But even knowing that, it's still easy to feel "un-needed" when that feeling is not re-enforced regularly.  That's why it was so nice, and suprising to hear him say it. 

posted by A_Norseman on October 25, 2006 at 3:10 PM | link to this | reply

Enlisting for military service at 44 years of age……
I find your thoughts gallant & patriotic, to say the least. I don’t believe there is a US citizen at this time that doesn’t have, even if only a smidgen of fear daily, regarding the war on terror that we are currently at the forefront of.

I’ve ‘joined forces’ with all spiritual affiliations I am aware of, in an hourly & daily prayer vigil for the protection of our troops and our country while aiding those battling for their freedom, their lands & their God-given rights as children of the Almighty, the father of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob; although my meager pittance of contributing through prayer is incredibly humbling before someone willing to lay their life before this battle; Either abroad or on our own soil, it would be comforting to know that others might feel as you do; others in untold numbers of hundreds of thousands?

As far as your ‘grown children’ are concerned; run a consensus and ask these two questions; “Of those of you who have grown children, between ages 20-25 say, that live within close proximity, how often do you hear from them or see them? And, if & when you do, are they generally in need of something? My answer, based upon comments over the years from a dozen or so moms, dads & coworkers with grown children of this age, (if they aren’t actually still living at home) would be; “Not often & when they do call or stop by it’s because they need something.”

I wouldn’t take it personally; I believe it is God’s way of slowly weaning us back into a life of our own. I know it is 100% more comforting to them and to all of those who love you, to know you are here and feel as you do as opposed to being in the midst of the battle. (Although, from your pics, you did look mighty fine in uniform!)

posted by roadscross on October 25, 2006 at 3:03 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks Blackcat and Kingmi...I appreciate it.

posted by A_Norseman on October 25, 2006 at 11:25 AM | link to this | reply

Alf, I hope my kids feel the same about me in ten years! Cheers!

posted by kingmi on October 25, 2006 at 11:25 AM | link to this | reply

of course they need you!
We all take our family for granted... but we shouldn't.   I'm glad he told you the truth.   I imagine that your son will need and want you around for as long as you both live...

posted by -blackcat on October 25, 2006 at 11:16 AM | link to this | reply