episode 109: thanks mom and dad.

Roger counting peas at the Henry's.

I got over to my parent's house last night and spent some time with them, that was very nice. You know they really seemed happy, and peaceful. That in term really made me happy. My parents had a rough year last year, my father had cancer and fought hard to get through that.

Thankfully, he is through his chemo and his pet scans indicate that he is in remission. My parents are fucking great. They raised four very individual, very passionate, and opinionated boys. Sometimes we are assholes, but always we were loved, and guided.

As I left their house last night, I felt really good, I enjoyed my stay, and for the first time in a very long time I didn't leave worried about them. I really appreciate all they sacrificed for me, and the guidance and support they gave me growing up. My brothers and I we were pretty rough and tumble, my mom is pretty much a saint for putting up with some of our antics.

When I think about my character and how I turned out, so much of it is directly related to my parents. No I don't mean that in a "i blame everything that is wrong with me" and I'm in therapy kind of way, or in a damn why couldn't I have a mutant lung capacity or giant heart, or long legs capacity" either, although any of those things sure would have made cycling easier for me. But rather , when I look in the mirror I think I turned out okay. I know my folks think I'm okay too. I know they are proud of me. My father told me that last fall, and even though I knew it, damn it meant a lot to hear it.

slick rick (da ruler) takes some measurements on the gay ups truck.

My mother she taught me to be compassionate, she taught me to put others before myself, to be charitable, and to not be afraid to go after what I want. He taught me to be fierce in my work ethic, to not do anything a little bit, to be almost obsessive in my pursuit of my goals. My father is tenacious and hard working, I think he liked being a bit of a maverick in the corporate world which he worked. I used to imagine the BS he had to put up with, and what I dealt with at the brokerage firm as being kinda the same. Anyway, above all I hope my parents know how grateful I am, and how much I appreciate what they have done for my brothers and me.

Rick corrects my position. He is like an artist when he works.

I would also at this time like to thank Tom Mc (den mother) for walking me through lighting my pilot light on my hot water heater. Those that know me well, know that it would be kind to call me not mechanically inclined. Tom patiently walked me through the process, with out me burning myself, or blowing my house up.

respect.

fm