The ability of Fathers and Sons to have a conversation...
#31
Posted 23 January 2013 - 03:38 PM
#32
Posted 23 January 2013 - 04:22 PM
#33
Posted 23 January 2013 - 04:58 PM
With my first job things got a little better, and when I started moving up the ranks, it got even better than that. I was applying myself and he seemed to be a little more proud. He always knew that I could "go farther" than him in life, and it hurt him to see me throwing it away.
Now we don't talk on the phone, but he wants me to go to the beach house all the time. When we are there, we fish, drink, play cards, cuss, and pretty much act like best friends. It was really tough to go from the screaming matches from high school to what we have today, but I wanted a better relationship and so did he.
I had to grow up and he had to loosen up.
P.S. does this have to do with your farm?
#34
Posted 23 January 2013 - 05:12 PM
P.S. does this have to do with your farm?
No not at all.
#35
Posted 23 January 2013 - 06:24 PM
I talk to my dad maybe every 9 months or so and i never go to him for fartherly advice. But i had a great relationship growing up with him so so maybe i dont feel like there is a gap that needs to be closed.
My wife has issues like this with her mom, but it stems from a poor relationship growing up
#36
Posted 23 January 2013 - 10:44 PM
i was about 23 or 24 and finally put into words what i felt. sent it to him and he called. the first thing he said was, i made you feel that way? and the bawling started.
fast forward 7 years. my dad was having some issues with his family. he and my mom divorced when i was 6. his sis my aunt is at his house and he gets misty eyed and goes, well, im not sure what everyone thinks of me but i know pstall(no not my name) loves me.
that same year, for his 50th he has me and my 3 other bros and their sig others over for a big cook out and movie. we watch The Deer Hunter. Amazing movie and much deeper to see as a 30 yr old.
after the movie we are on the deck and all stunned at what we just saw. then my dad walks out and its his moment since it's his birthday. and for the first time EVER in his life, he opens up about his demons from Vietnam. he just started going into detail of what he saw and what he did. i was speechless and just walked up to him, gave him a huge hug and went to my car and sobbed.
a few months later for my 30(dad was 20 when i was born) he calls me and wishes me happy bday. but he says those words every son wants to hear. son...im proud of you. i was sobbing again. took him 30 yrs to say it but he told me.
also that same year, he reconciled with his dad, a hard case WW2 vet. my grand dad opened up after they went and saw Saving Private Ryan. heck, who couldn't?
a couple of years later my grand dad diied. i remember sitting in the hospital room while he was fighting for his life. there was my grandmother, my uncle and aunt and my dad near the door. i was then about 36.
what stood out was that for the first time in years, that side of my family were all together at the same time and were close again. and i thought back to my letter. what if i had never said what i said? i think it was a ripple effect of reconciling with my dad and it freed him up to do the same.
called my dad yesterday for his 65th and left him this voicemail. " hey man, just wanted to wish the coolest hermit i know a happy birthday. now you can get cheaper coffee and shoplift with out any jail time. i love you."
#37
Posted 23 January 2013 - 11:04 PM
#38
Posted 24 January 2013 - 12:35 AM
Growing up, he never missed a ballgame or anything like that, but he works constantly. I'm talking 16 hours a day, and when he's home and awake for more than 2 hours, he talks about work or complains about politics or something clearly ridiculous that we would fight over anyway. He's always given me what I needed and more, but I honestly can't remember the last "real" conversation had. He asks about school, he's talked to me about taking over his business, etc., but those conversations are typically one sided and few and far between. I don't have a relationship with my brother either, and essentially only talk to my mom about things and it's always bothered me, but never been fixed. Something I need to work on.
#39
Posted 24 January 2013 - 01:52 AM
my father-in-law, however, is a damn fine fellow and fills in quite nicely.
#40
Posted 24 January 2013 - 01:56 AM
#41
Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:01 AM
my father disowned me and boycotted my wedding... when i call my mom he pretends not to know who i am when he picks up the phone
my father-in-law, however, is a damn fine fellow and fills in quite nicely.
Is this b/c of the religion thing?
#42
Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:02 AM
man there are some heavy-duty daddy issues in this thread
Maybe we should all be strippers.
#43
Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:16 AM
#44
Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:22 AM
I think the best thing we can do is learn from it in how we relate to our sons. I am open and honest and willing to listen to them at any point. I hug them every day and let them know they are loved. Thats our most important job, imo.
#45
Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:28 AM
That will help them feel like you are approachable which is huge in he teen years.
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