More Random Thoughts....Things I am glad I did have when we were kids.... 1) Moms who stayed at home....My home, as well as our neighborhood and my friends homes were filled with stay at home moms. Always felt safe and loved, no matter where I was. Afternoon snacks, rides to our events, home cooked meals...we never had to wonder where they were coming from 2) Dads who were at our events....Seemed like lots of dads when I were growing up made some sacrifices in their careers to have time to be available during the day during the week. So thankful for my dad and so many others that made it to our 10 am Tuesday ball games, walked with us Monday mornings at junior golf and watched us at hockey school. I am sure their careers, jobs, promotions etc suffered but WE were their priority....Thank you to all of you!! 3) Friends parents who would discipline us....there was NO way to escape responsibility, accountability and punishment no matter where we were. I got in trouble and was grounded at my friends houses as much as at mine....and oh boy, double trouble when I got home! 4) Outside!....we were NOT allowed in the house, especially in summer unless the weather was borderline hurricane! Alone, tennis ball against the garage door or shooting baskets, 2 guys=catch, horse, shootout (for you hockey fans) etc. 3 guys= hot box, 3 man football (WR,QB, DB--rotate and keep score). 4 guys=endless opportunities. And every other kid in the neighborhood was outside too! 5) Up North and the sanctity of weekends...How can you not learn to love the outdoors when your grandparents have a place 50 from one of the best trout streams in America! Wading the upper Au Sable River taught me about fishing, but also gave me a chance to spend time with my parents, grandparents, brother, friends and for 2 glorious weeks a summer my Uncle Jerry. Unlimited access to the river, woods, things to shoot with a pellet gun, made up games, croquet, canoing, horseshoes, badminton.....to me a whole lot more fun than spending my weekends with sports (those were for during the week). 2 TV channels that never came in and no phone were just icing on the cake...and let me tell you this...I didnt miss either one! 6) High Expectations...not just from my parents, but from teachers, my friends parents, coaches, friends, teammates etc. We were held accountable by everyone in our lives, and we held them accountable. Positive Peer Pressure! Not just in the big things, but the little things: opening doors for ladies, saying please and thank you, respecting elders (regardless of if they deserved it or not), no hats inside (wish that one would come back), helping your neighbor or friend with any project---not because they asked--because it was the right thing to do. 7) A love for knowledge...I was encouraged to read..everyday-and I still have the habit! My parents, grandparents and teachers encouraged it. Didnt matter what it was (man I read LOTS of fishing and sports books) as long as I did it...everyday! I still use the things I learned back then almost every day. I also had a passion for trivia. Had lots of friends that would discuss sports stats, a few guys who were music guys so we played name the bassist (drummer, producer, guitarist, first band etc) of the next song on the radio for a quarter a song, alternating who asked the question. Fantasy geeks before fantasy was popular (I was going to say cool, but...). Can still name the winning and losing teams, coaches and quarterbacks of all the Super Bowls up to XL. Used to play who was #_ for the _ in 19_ with my Uncle Pat. Didnt know it then, but it all taught me how to learn, organize, remember and recall information...useful skills in any profession! Just FUN Times with good friends! Any way...just reminiscing how lucky I have been on TBT! Sure wish I could go back!
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:20:42 +0000
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