Grasshopper No.4 has been witness to UW-Badger football history, again. He was present in 1999 when Ron Dayne broke the Collegiate four year rushing record with something like 7600 total yards. It happened again Saturday. No.4 and Grandson Tommy saw Melvin Gordon, UW running back break the single game Collegiate rushing record with 408 yards (it only took 3 quarters).
I was reminiscing this morning about having kids and the issues that go with them. I was always accused of using the answer “we’ll see” when confronted with a difficult question. If I gave a “yes” answer, everybody was happy. If I gave the dreaded “no”, it turned into a whinning, begging, questioning attempt to change the decision. I remember Grasshopper No.4 wanting to use our car on a Saturday night. I said “we will see”. No.4 became immediately confrontational. His retort was something like “Dad, I hate it when you do that”. No.4 indicated that he would rather have a “yes” or “no” answer. “He could handle it”. So he repeated his request for the car on Saturday night. I answered “no”. No.4’s immediate response was “why not”? Really? Obviously he couldn’t handle the dreaded “no”. I learned that we had just had a stupid conversation. I really don’t know what No.4 learned.
Just for reference, because I am light skinned, I am prone to sun burn. Over the years, having a cottage and playing golf (without a hat) took their toll on my skin especially on the face and arms. Yesterday I had another procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma from my neck. It is always an unpleasant surgical skin removal and you end up being maimed for weeks. My advice Grasshoppers is “take sun exposure seriously”. Just by being part of the family, your genetic make-up puts you at risk. Think sun-block and hats.
Your Mom walked with me this morning. Whoa!
Love,
Dad