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110%er [6224]
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The miracle of sports
Jan 31, 2011, 8:22 PM
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I'd classify the year I had in 2010 as a pretty poor one. I've had better years financially, better years spititually but in the catagory of personally...its been WAAAYY better. I lost my best friend and my Dad.
My Dad was old school Chicago. No trendy North side Cubs for him! My Dad was hard scrabble south side Sox. we'd go to Comiskey on clear blue days when it'd hurt your eyes to see the sky. Hot Dogs, popcorn and cold beer for Dad. He sparked the interest in sports for me like no other. i'd draw the mascots of the NFL teams based on the memory of the pennants he bought me. I proudly listed the cities and mascots to him as I showed him the drawings. He cheered every one.
Chief and I shared a love for Tiger football. each year would bring a joy filled with the prospect of another magical season that the dream of 81 had brought us as young men. We grew up 20 miles from Gods country and spent many fun days and blurry nights frequenting Bollwinkles and Bash Riprocks. Tigertown was a playground.
My Dad fought 2 long years with colon cancer. It took his dignity and then took his life. I saw my hero go from "the guy who could do anything" to a shadow that was shamed to the figure a disease left him with. My Dad shaped my life to one that sets a calendar by sports. Presently I am set to to the fact that pitchers and catchers report in a short 3 weeks and the Masters is around the corner. Personally...I know signing day signifies the start of 2011 Clemson Football.
Chief and I went many years where we lost touch. I saw him the last time in intensive care. The next...a Yankee and Clemson Tiger blanket draped over his casket. We shared so many great moments together as friends. Clemson athletics was at the core. When the Tigers excelled we rode the wave. The 80's were a great time for that.
I drove down85 south toward Greenville about a week ago and after a period of "numb" it really settled in on what was gone. The new year brought a sense of loss that I guess i turned my back on at the end of last year. Signing day comes and Chief...is gone. The Masters will come and my Dad won't give me his picks.
Not really sure(other than personal hterapy)why I want to put these words down. Maybe cause its really the ones you banter with that makes the sport worth the while?
Hope that your 2011 is filled with cheers and championships...and if its not...someone to drown the sorrows with if its not.
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110%er [6224]
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BTW..know its a hectic time...
Jan 31, 2011, 9:04 PM
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..and Im right there with ya...just a little perspective!  go tigs!
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Commissioner [915]
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Re: The miracle of sports
Jan 31, 2011, 9:16 PM
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Thanks you!
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Orange Blooded [2533]
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Real nice thoughtful post. Sorry for the loss.
Jan 31, 2011, 9:20 PM
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Makes you mindful of the relationships you have, and to treasure them, 'cause they won't always be there. Point for you.
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110%er [6224]
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well put...
Feb 1, 2011, 9:41 AM
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You sure do think they will but that day comes and it hurts. Never take the time with your loved ones for granted.
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All-TigerNet [11218]
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Good read. makes me think of my dad.***
Jan 31, 2011, 9:23 PM
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110%er [6224]
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For most of us thats where it starts
Jan 31, 2011, 9:32 PM
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eh brother? Sure miss mine...more everyday...
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CU Medallion [58501]
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I'm sorry for your loss, but man, beautiful post. I think
Jan 31, 2011, 9:37 PM
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all of us who have lost our fathers feel a lot of what you are feeling. Sets the calendar by sports...baseball, The Masters, Clemson football; you don't know how much that reminds me of my own father who I miss so very much. I never realized how much he shaped my life until he lost his.
Thank you for your post, and to anyone who may be reading who still has their father with them, please, please cherish every minute.
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110%er [6224]
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For all the garbage that comes out of here ST...
Jan 31, 2011, 9:55 PM
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I am always "drop jawed" at how people on here can put something out there that humbles me...centers me. Its just my gut man. Been a tough year.
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Commissioner [910]
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Re: I'm sorry for your loss, but man, beautiful post. I think
Jan 31, 2011, 9:58 PM
[ in reply to I'm sorry for your loss, but man, beautiful post. I think ] |
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I am sure all you guys have a story. In the days before the internet and much of cable, I lived about 8 hours from Clemson. I almost always made the home games but could not make the away games. More than once, my dad would call me with the phone to the radio so I could hear the call by Jim Phillips. In those days, long distance calls were expensive but he did not care. He was helping his oldest son hear a Clemson game live! How well I remember hearing the last 2 minutes of the Clemson Duke football game of 1977, when a bone-jarring tackle on a Duke punt receiver caused a fumble and secured a win, in our first bowl season since 1959. In those days Duke was actually pretty good and had beat us the year before on a 57-yard field goal that bounced on and over the crossbar at the end of the game on homecoming. Any way, for those of you who still have your dads, treasure it and enjoy it and pass it on! Go Tigers!
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110%er [6224]
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Awesome...
Jan 31, 2011, 10:00 PM
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thanks.
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Orange Blooded [3257]
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Legend [16264]
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It's good to touch the green grass of home. Nice post.***
Jan 31, 2011, 9:47 PM
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110%er [6224]
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nice nice line man. From one of my favorite songs..alltime.***
Jan 31, 2011, 9:56 PM
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Orange Blooded [4521]
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Colon cancer F'n SUCKS
Feb 1, 2011, 11:01 AM
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took my Dad, too.
Thanks for sharing.
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110%er [6224]
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sorry to hear that
Feb 1, 2011, 12:33 PM
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it almost got my Mom too but she beat it.
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Orange Blooded [2073]
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All cancers suck! I had a malignant brain tumor at 31, but
Feb 1, 2011, 1:46 PM
[ in reply to Colon cancer F'n SUCKS ] |
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was fortunate enough to survive it and live a normal life -- if you consider frequenting Tigernet normal...
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CU Guru [1660]
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Re: The miracle of sports
Feb 1, 2011, 11:14 AM
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When you're sitting in your seat watching the game you will still hear them if you listen, mine has been gone since '95 and he still makes the good times better.
It might just be memories but they are good ones, don't let the overtake the positive that was instilled by, from the sound of it, wonderful people.
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All-TigerNet [11170]
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Dude...you made me call my dad.***
Feb 1, 2011, 11:21 AM
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Rock Defender [54]
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which one?***
Feb 1, 2011, 11:22 AM
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All-TigerNet [11170]
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the white one***
Feb 1, 2011, 11:30 AM
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110%er [6224]
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LOL***
Feb 1, 2011, 12:31 PM
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Junkie [538]
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Great post. I will be calling my father today also. Thanks
Feb 1, 2011, 11:25 AM
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for sharing
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All-TigerNet [12270]
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dang coolgroove now you have me missing god's country
Feb 1, 2011, 12:54 PM
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and my parents who live there!
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110%er [6224]
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Looks like you wound up in a pretty good spot
Feb 1, 2011, 12:57 PM
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...and football season is right around the corner (I have to keep telling myself that)
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All-TigerNet [12270]
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savannah is nice but ther deffinitely is something in those
Feb 1, 2011, 1:09 PM
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hills"
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Orange Blooded [3257]
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My dad instilled in me my faith, love of family, love of CU,
Feb 1, 2011, 2:08 PM
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and my dislike of coots in that order.
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Orange Blooded [2073]
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Great message, "cool," great message!***
Feb 1, 2011, 1:47 PM
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Orange Blooded [3257]
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In all seriousness, "God bless us everyone"!
Feb 1, 2011, 1:56 PM
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How about Phil, Bubba, and Justin at Augusta. Tigers win 8 (beat coots) and win bowl for 9 wins. That will pave the way for 2012 which will "our" year.
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110%er [7010]
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The miracle of sports...
Feb 1, 2011, 7:11 PM
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I personally know what you are going through. I lost my Dad and fellow Tiger 12/14/2008. Dad was my best friend too, and even though it's been 26 months, the pain is as sharp as it has ever been. Dad went to his grave with his Clemson slippers, tie, and Bronze Star.
I hope the Good lord comforts you at this time. We have so many good memories to go back to. T-mail me anytime.
Ron Wright, 71PR
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110%er [6224]
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appreciate the kind words.***
Feb 1, 2011, 9:08 PM
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