Postings of whatever crosses my mind that I perceive to be relevant to the World as I view it... Rational...Irrational... Sane... Insane... Who gets to make that call?? I DO!!!
My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon When you comin' home dad? I don't know when, but we'll get together then son You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok" And he walked away but his smile never dimmed And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah You know I'm gonna be like him"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon When you comin' home son? I don't know when, but we'll get together then son You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day So much like a man I just had to say "Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?" He shook his head and said with a smile "What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon When you comin' home son? I don't know when, but we'll get together then son You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away I called him up just the other day I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind" He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me He'd grown up just like me My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon When you comin' home son? I don't know when, but we'll get together then son You know we'll have a good time then
I miss my Dad... I have regrets... tons of regrets about the way I treated him... what I did... why I did it... is all buried back in the '2010' part of my blog where this thing served as a personal journal as much as anything. I wish I knew then what I know now... what has changed is that I do believe I am wiser today... I think I finally figured out that most of us do the best we know how to do in Life. Life doesn't come with an operator's manual... we have to figure it out as we go. Someone shared a thought with me the other day... about depression being the worry about what has happened in the past, and anxiety being the worry about what will happen in the future. But, it's all the same, isn't it? I fret about having been the son that I was... and how I could have been a better son to my Mom and Dad. I worry about whether or not any of my accomplishments would have made them proud of me. I worry about whether or not I've been the best Dad for my daughter and son. Could I have done some things better? Differently?? I 'grew' into be a Dad... I always tried to make time for them... but much like the song above, today they are busy. They don't have time for Dad.
... and so it plays out... over and over and over.
I was telling someone the other day that my Mom could control me with guilt... making me feel bad about things. Maybe this worrisome attitude that I have about things like this is the end result. I try to not make my kids feel bad when they let me down... I tell them that it's just the Nature of Life.
In Honor and Memory of today's Historic Date, I want to re-run this post from a few years ago. I was remiss in posting this last year as I was in Europe at the time... that's a sorry excuse, but it is what it is...
_______________________________ Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of
The Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the World are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year, 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Supreme Allied Commander
____________
Sixty-nine years ago this morning, June 6th, 1944, the Allied Forces landed in Normandy, France... to begin the liberation of France from Nazi Germany, and to try to facilitate the end of WWII in Europe.
Most models that the Allied planners ran on the invasion indicated mortality rates as high as 90%... Eisenhower had already written his letter of resignation from his role as Supreme Allied Commander, because there was no assurance that the invasion would succeed.
That guy almost looks like a cross between James Coburn and Richard Gere... exceptin' that I think James Coburn is dead now... Well... this is what happens when one has spent way too long looking over an Economics lesson plan for the next day's class after having had taught for two hours earlier in the day.
