I can't help but thinking you gave yourself more peace than you recognize when you said I love you. They say resentment is the poison we drink expecting the other fella to die, then it follows that forgiveness is the probably the antidote to that poison.
It's a tough draw to have a dad like that, but I will tell you that guys like you are my heroes. You aren't the kind of guy who would take kindly to me saying that I know, but it's true. It doesn't take much to pass along what you got from your own dad to your kids, but it takes a hell of a lot to turn it around when you have to put the past behind and re-invent what fatherhood should be. Not sure I could do it, but I know you can.
Good on you for telling him you loved him. I hope you gave him a moment of peace, I hope you gave yourself a moment of peace too. Most importantly, I'm sure you give your kids many moments of love and peace, and that's what really counts.
I can't help but thinking you gave yourself more peace than you recognize when you said I love you. They say resentment is the poison we drink expecting the other fella to die, then it follows that forgiveness is the probably the antidote to that poison.
It's a tough draw to have a dad like that, but I will tell you that guys like you are my heroes. You aren't the kind of guy who would take kindly to me saying that I know, but it's true. It doesn't take much to pass along what you got from your own dad to your kids, but it takes a hell of a lot to turn it around when you have to put the past behind and re-invent what fatherhood should be. Not sure I could do it, but I know you can.
Good on you for telling him you loved him. I hope you gave him a moment of peace, I hope you gave yourself a moment of peace too. Most importantly, I'm sure you give your kids many moments of love and peace, and that's what really counts.
Appreciate the perspective, Joe, thank you.