Comments on: A (Late) Father’s Day Post

By: David Anderson

David Anderson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:16:18 +0000

Kilroy did have gripping one as well. With either it is difficult to know what to say. It really makes one want to be with and there for one’s children.

By: noman

noman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:13:51 +0000

Between Smitty’s and Kilroy’s Fathers Day posts – I can’t sleep tonight.

By: Dave Burris

Dave Burris — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:52:01 +0000

Damn. Wow. Powerful.

By: Kilroy

Kilroy — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:15:05 +0000

Dam Smttiy you move my stone heart!

By: Nancy Willing

Nancy Willing — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:24:46 +0000

oh Smit. God bless. I am bawling my eyes out right now.

I also had an emotionally repressed papa and quite of few of your moments with yours mirror mine…nothing about divorce, though, luckily.

By: kavips

kavips — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:50:11 +0000

Well done.

By: anonone

anonone — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:48:50 +0000

Smitty, thanks. You made me cry, too. It is amazing how powerfully we remember a word here and an incident there that often passed without our parents even noticing.

And how those word and incidents etch themselves forever in our hearts, for better or for worse.

Sometimes I wonder what those words and incidents will be for my kids. I hope that they’re for the better. I’m trying, anyway.

Damn, Smitty. You are a man.

By: pandora

pandora — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:19:15 +0000

Unbelievably beautiful and honest. Damn you, Smitty! You made me cry.

By: RSmitty

RSmitty — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:07:08 +0000

Any chance you’re brave enough to send it to him?

I don’t know, really. What’s really important is that the last paragraph, we spoke about that. There still was no recollection on his part (the laughter) of that night, but there certainly was with me. He and I are great now, too. It’s that song, I tell you. I heard that song again recently and this emotion rushed me. Then I had that moment while carrying my son to bed and my mental state went mush.

I have no problem sharing, though. While I do hope what I write can evoke emotions, I also hope that this may help others thaw their own chilled relationships with parents.

By: joanne christian

joanne christian — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:16:04 +0000

Smitty, you don’t even need the video to make the message. Absolutely eulogistic of how consciously you won’t raise your children, but have reconciled your upbringing to “it is what it is”. You are officially an adult. But I know those folks can still evoke such a strong throwback of memory….and guess what, try as we may, we will still blow it on some level w/ our kids. Just never forget, how much that delayed “sorry” cost….both of you….and in all relationships. Great piece. Any chance you’re brave enough to send it to him? I can’t believe you put this out here for us…..I guess you have successfully compensated his lack of articulation….and quite well. Shoot Smitty, I feel like I stumbled on your journal or something….but thank you. Yes, thank you. (reaching for Kleenex)……