Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk

4 thoughts on “Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk”

1. Good Morning from Omaha,

   I can’t figure who my role models were.

   I lived in Cincinnati during the era of the big red machine and when I was up to bat or playing left field I would think I was Rose, Bench Griffey etc. I still couldn’t play very well but loved every minute of it.

   I took my son to see the royals play the cubs in KC for his birthday one year.

   He yelled at Sammy sosa and Sosa did the heart pound and the kiss blow back. He was on cloud 9. But it was Pepsi bat day and the Blue Royal bats in the end probably meant more to him than seeing Sammy.

   Who do kids look up today???

   Strive for excellence, Nothing but your best.

   Gene

2. Gene,

   Thanks for your comments here each day. I always look forward to them.

   Role Models. Pretty scarce these days. I grew up watching some of those vintage Dallas Cowboys teams of the early 70’s, and Pete Maravich was probably my biggest hero. It’s different nowadays. Guys like Rod Smith from the Broncos, who to me is a fantastic role model are kind of hard to find. Anybody else have a modern day roe models or favorite one from the past?

3. Drew,

   As a parent I would hope in some unspoken way that my kids, they are now 27, girl and 23, boy, would look to me as a role model. I don’t hit homeruns and hit three pointers with 6.2 seconds left but I work hard every day and have been there with band and choir concerts, football and soccer games, good times and bad.

   I may not have always had the absolutely correct answer, my wife would fill in the blanks of my logic, but they always knew I would be there for them, good or bad, A’s or F’s.

   We would work it out as a family.

   Our little neighborhood here in Omaha has aquired the name “Happy Vallley” said with some disdain by the kids because we are all hard working, family involved parents who were known to watch over not only our children, but the neighbors children as well.

   We had huge neighborhood block parties with a parade, softball, volleyball, dunk tanks, garden walks, food galore, djs and dancing until midnight.

   We know our neighbors, the kids have almost all up and moved away, but we still get together and look after each other.

   I think that is what Mothers Day or Fathers Day should be a reflection of, the unspoken role models that parents, and teachers, should be for their children.

   I know it isn’t always easy, but you should always try to do what is right. Even if it is hard,that is where the best lessons are learned.

   Ok thats my opinion.

   Am I perfect, NO. Do I lose my temper and flare into anger, YES.

   That is why my wife is so important. To bring back off the edge of insanty and back into a logical conclusion.

   I don’t know if you have children, Drew, but if you do they have been truley blessed to have someone like you as a parent.

   99% of parents are quietly role modeling for their children and don’t even know it, but they are doing it the right way.

   Have to let you go now.As a matter of fact I used my sign off to send my kids off to school everyday… Strive for excellence, nothing but your best!!!!!!!!!

   Made that up myself,

   Gene

4. Gene,

   Very very well said. I don’t have kids. But every parent should be a role model. My father was my rock. After my mother passed away when I was 10, he did everything he could to give me a great life, a good direction, and a solid work ethic. He’s been gone now for a few years (I lost my first wife and my father in a span of 8 months in 2004 and ’05) but as I find myself amidst the challenges of being without a job and facing uncertainty to some degree, I imagine myself wearing one of those wrist bands. It says WWDD. What would Dad do? That’s what I strive for each day.

   You sound like a fantastic father, Gene. The kids, they know.