Tough stuff, Robbe. We know and we say it all of the time - nothing prepares you for losing a family member, especially your parents or your children. Enjoy these days and, when that day does arrive, you will be left with amazing memories and they carry you for a while and possibly forever. And, I found it incredible how my children - all very young - buoyed me when my parents passed. Kids are the best.
For me - Death Be Not Proud has stayed with me forever. Be well.
Goodness. Man. I’m so sorry and also so glad for you. Fathers and sons. Sons and fathers. There is beauty and pain in so much of life. Praying you get good last months with your dad and that the echoes of that relationship will carry forward positively into that of you and your kids. Blessings as you negotiate all of it.
My heart goes out to you Robbe. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and a strange thing happened. I started thinking about him way more after he passed away than I did when he was alive. I took for granted that he would always be around. So in an effort to not make this comment about me, I just want to share that I hope you hang on and enjoy the precious moments that you have left with your dad and that he finds peace.
It's one of my favorite things to hear about grown men being a good dads to their kids and you are one of the best. Great work.
Thanks for the note, Mike. It's funny, because for so long, I had that same mindset. Even though I know at some point my parents will die, it's different when it's a black-and-white reality staring you in the face. I appreciate you telling me that, it's really good advice.
Thanks for this writing Robbe. I've been thinking a lot about this over the last few days. With aging parents myself and two young children, it really resonated with me. It inspired me to read WTRFG with my 10 y/o son. Take care.
A poignant piece, friend. My father passed away on his birthday in 2020. "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas was a poem he referenced often in his final years.
My grandmother passed last July. I feel the weight of your words in this season. Peace to you and your family.
Thank you Robbe for sharing and trusting in us the readers.
I always find myself nodding along agreeing with the insights you share in your writing.
Losing a parent is such a life changing event.
I lost my mom to cancer when I was 16. Watched her battle for 4 years. It was devastating. But along the way she showed me love, she showed me determination, and she showed me grace.
I lost my Dad 5 years ago this May when I was 47. He lived with my family and I for his last year.
It was exhausting, it was frustrating, and it was emotional. At the same time there were countless moments of love, and many moments of grace.
I am grateful I had that time with him.
I carry so much of what both my parents imparted to me with me on a daily basis. They are so much of who I am.
So many of the lessons they shared with me I have tried to share with my three sons ages 15, 18, and 20.
Great, touching piece. Thanks so much for sharing.
Where the Red Fern Grows is such a gut punch of a book. We read it to our kids a few years ago. Still talk about it. We've been to the state park here in OK where they filmed it.
Thanks Brett, appreciate you reading. Watching the movie is next on the list! Not sure if you've ever done a deep dive into Wilson Rawls' life, but it's absolutely fascinating. From uneducated Ozark kid to prison inmate to bestselling children's book author. Wanted to include it in here, but felt like it deviated too much from the main mission of this week's newsletter.
Tough stuff, Robbe. We know and we say it all of the time - nothing prepares you for losing a family member, especially your parents or your children. Enjoy these days and, when that day does arrive, you will be left with amazing memories and they carry you for a while and possibly forever. And, I found it incredible how my children - all very young - buoyed me when my parents passed. Kids are the best.
For me - Death Be Not Proud has stayed with me forever. Be well.
Appreciate your message Matt, thank you for that.
Goodness. Man. I’m so sorry and also so glad for you. Fathers and sons. Sons and fathers. There is beauty and pain in so much of life. Praying you get good last months with your dad and that the echoes of that relationship will carry forward positively into that of you and your kids. Blessings as you negotiate all of it.
Thanks Mike
My heart goes out to you Robbe. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and a strange thing happened. I started thinking about him way more after he passed away than I did when he was alive. I took for granted that he would always be around. So in an effort to not make this comment about me, I just want to share that I hope you hang on and enjoy the precious moments that you have left with your dad and that he finds peace.
It's one of my favorite things to hear about grown men being a good dads to their kids and you are one of the best. Great work.
Thanks for the note, Mike. It's funny, because for so long, I had that same mindset. Even though I know at some point my parents will die, it's different when it's a black-and-white reality staring you in the face. I appreciate you telling me that, it's really good advice.
Thanks for this writing Robbe. I've been thinking a lot about this over the last few days. With aging parents myself and two young children, it really resonated with me. It inspired me to read WTRFG with my 10 y/o son. Take care.
Let me know how it goes!
A poignant piece, friend. My father passed away on his birthday in 2020. "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas was a poem he referenced often in his final years.
My grandmother passed last July. I feel the weight of your words in this season. Peace to you and your family.
Thanks Austin, sorry for your losses as well.
Thank you Robbe for sharing and trusting in us the readers.
I always find myself nodding along agreeing with the insights you share in your writing.
Losing a parent is such a life changing event.
I lost my mom to cancer when I was 16. Watched her battle for 4 years. It was devastating. But along the way she showed me love, she showed me determination, and she showed me grace.
I lost my Dad 5 years ago this May when I was 47. He lived with my family and I for his last year.
It was exhausting, it was frustrating, and it was emotional. At the same time there were countless moments of love, and many moments of grace.
I am grateful I had that time with him.
I carry so much of what both my parents imparted to me with me on a daily basis. They are so much of who I am.
So many of the lessons they shared with me I have tried to share with my three sons ages 15, 18, and 20.
Wishing you peace and grace in the days ahead.
Thank you for sharing Robbe. It’s only in the darkest moments that true light shines through.
Great, touching piece. Thanks so much for sharing.
Where the Red Fern Grows is such a gut punch of a book. We read it to our kids a few years ago. Still talk about it. We've been to the state park here in OK where they filmed it.
Thanks Brett, appreciate you reading. Watching the movie is next on the list! Not sure if you've ever done a deep dive into Wilson Rawls' life, but it's absolutely fascinating. From uneducated Ozark kid to prison inmate to bestselling children's book author. Wanted to include it in here, but felt like it deviated too much from the main mission of this week's newsletter.