LGBT

Rowdyboy

(22,057 posts)

35. He really had no idea what to expect-it took guts. We've spoken maybe three times in ten years...

Reply to awoke_in_2003 (Reply #27)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:32 AM

Apr 2012

One of my life-lessons is what you said-"get things cleared up before its too late".

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

72 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

My dad called from out of the blue the other day. We hadn't spoken since my niece's wedding [View all] Rowdyboy Apr 2012 OP

wonderful NMlib Apr 2012 #1

Welcome to DU, my favorite website and thanks for making one of your first posts Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #2

nail on head NMlib Apr 2012 #3

It was the only real option he had. He was very impressed with Canada's national health insurance Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #4

You are an amazing son. It does my soul good to hear this story. Bless all of you. The Wielding Truth Apr 2012 #5

I thank you for your kindness and I thank you for your blessings.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #6

so then you are going to go visit alone ? KILL THE WISE ONE Apr 2012 #7

Probably the next time I go to New Orleans-which will be this year.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #47

You rock dude. Very good of you to hear him out. xchrom Apr 2012 #8

He deserved it....the more I remember the more I'm reminded of the chances he took for us...He drove Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #48

Wow. That is so awesome that you are so past the ill feelings. Your heart is pure. I send you a hug! DesertDiamond Apr 2012 #9

You're very kind and I send the hug back.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #50

Wonderful and moving storry mazzarro Apr 2012 #10

During our conversation I suggested he call my younger brother whose birthday (4/24) is 3 days Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #51

Right before my father died BlueToTheBone Apr 2012 #11

+1. n/t Smarmie Doofus Apr 2012 #23

My grandfather was my surrogate dad when I was a kid-he taught me stuff like how to fix a bicycle Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #49

Rowdyboy, thank you for sharing. babylonsister Apr 2012 #12

Family relationships are complicated but it was closure and it felt good...My mom forgave him for Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #30

It would be nice if people could see the harm they do CanonRay Apr 2012 #13

And I am as guilty of that as he is, I've hurt family and friends in the past Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #52

Sadly, ditto. CanonRay Apr 2012 #57

I am so glad you had a big enough heart to hear him out, and forgive him. peacebird Apr 2012 #14

The person he hurt most in life was the person I loved best-my mother....She was the single Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #53

Forgiveness if mostly for the person who has been harmed - hedgehog Apr 2012 #15

I have no doubt that you wil forgive when you need to.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #37

Beautiful dbackjon Apr 2012 #16

Thank you my friend for reading.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #54

You bought tears to my eyes. I'm glad you are able to forgive him. He is old but you really, southernyankeebelle Apr 2012 #17

I honestly hope he doesn't feel guilt.....His problem for 50 + years has been alcohol.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #38

We all have are battles to fight. Don't we. My battle is fat. I have given up on trying to loose. southernyankeebelle Apr 2012 #59

Each and every family has some situation like this...One day my family was a strong, dynamic force. Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #68

Boy you ain't whisling dixie. I think onces my mother died we all just aren't as southernyankeebelle Apr 2012 #70

Thanks for sharing that here. closeupready Apr 2012 #18

Pretty much everybody with a family can relate in some way. Writing the op helped me sort it out Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #31

Whoa. Smarmie Doofus Apr 2012 #19

Thats one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me....It really was more a mental exercise Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #32

You covered some pretty intricate and delicate emotional terrain. Smarmie Doofus Apr 2012 #42

I think my problem has always been lack of discipline....I've always been very self-indulgent Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #43

Thanks for sharing this. Zorra Apr 2012 #20

It was cathartic....it helped me to organize my thoughts and put in perspective.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #44

I love this Vanje Apr 2012 #21

I never expected so many people to relate to this but I should have....everyone experiences family Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #45

I'm so happy for you mitchtv Apr 2012 #22

He was just a kid, alcohol messed him up pretty badly, and his own parents divorced when he was 19 Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #46

I hope that your kindness and ability to forgive is repaid to you a hundredfold. I think it will be. yardwork Apr 2012 #24

Nothing he could do or say now has the power to hurt me... There would be no point in continuing to Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #33

You're right. You won in all ways. Still, it was kind and good of you to be kind to him now. yardwork Apr 2012 #63

Very kind and generous of you, healing your family. freshwest Apr 2012 #25

Wow! What an experience... Rhiannon12866 Apr 2012 #26

Oh, he just pissed my younger brother off big time with some over -the-line comments on Facebook Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #34

Facebook strikes me as very weird Rhiannon12866 Apr 2012 #61

it takes a big man... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2012 #27

He really had no idea what to expect-it took guts. We've spoken maybe three times in ten years... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #35

I have so many friends who wish for this to happen every single day. Warpy Apr 2012 #28

We spent some time together at my niece's funeral two years ago....And he is a sick, old man.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #36

I agree Fearless Apr 2012 #39

Its a long complicated relationship (aren't they all) but for now I'm gonna hold off and maybe call Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #40

Absolulely take your time and do it on your terms! Fearless Apr 2012 #41

I've been busy all day planting a garden, just now had a chance to check back in. I had no idea Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #29

Welcome! colorado_ufo Apr 2012 #55

wow almost my life....but irisblue Apr 2012 #56

I'm very sorry you experienced this trashy treatment. Everyone deserves better, regardless of the Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #69

Kinda the same here HillWilliam Apr 2012 #58

I don't understand how they can do it. Why don't they see us? I wanted Ward Cleaver for my dad Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #66

Hey, buddy HillWilliam Apr 2012 #71

Steve, my kids think I forgave their father too JitterbugPerfume Apr 2012 #60

The fact is, you may very well be right....my mom was an expert at manipulating me.... Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #65

Rowdyboy, I think you are a marvel Iwillnevergiveup Apr 2012 #62

We're all on the same boat...but your story really moved me. I think of all the older family Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #67

............ Angry Dragon Apr 2012 #64

Sorry I missed this earlier. Best wishes to you, your partner and your family. grantcart Apr 2012 #72