On Saturday, it will be three years since my mother died. I am forever grateful for a conversation with a family friend just days earlier that changed the way I saw her passing.
Thanks, Cynthia. I really appreciate that. I'm using this as a place to experiment with personal essay -- something I haven't written much of -- but also trying to find a balance between that and sports so it's honestly super helpful to know that my introspective writing isn't too cringey!
I found a picture from 1987 that includes Tom and Rob at that Bay Area reunion where I met them. Tom is wearing a green, sweat-stained T-shirt as he had been busy hooping prior to the photo!
Thank you Danny for this beautiful piece. I have read and reread it several times. And each time, I find myself tearfully smiling, if that makes any sense.
Rob told me about your conversation when he came home. He felt it was a conversation filled with grace for you both. Articulating and sharing what he was learning through his own illness helped him as it helped you. And it affirmed how he believed grace works in the world- somehow bringing the right people into our paths, with just the right words, at just the right time when we are ready to hear.
It was wonderful to have you and Sharon at Rob’s memorial. It was a gift to me and the kids.
Thank you for sharing your writing gifts with us all.
Oh, Maureen. Sorry I didn't see this note earlier. I do believe that our intersections have been an example of grace, and I will forever be grateful for it. Hope you, the boys and grandkids are all well!
I thank my lucky stars that I met your mom and dad at UCSB in 1968, that we became the closest of friends and that I can continue to see them through your beautiful writing.
Thanks Danny, what an appropriate subject/timing as I also lost my mom a year ago next week from pancreatic cancer. Yours and Rob's perspective was a much needed read. Thank you and I know your mom is proud of how your words are helping others!
Really sorry, Jeff. Pancreatic cancer is an absolute bear of a disease. It's what my brother-in-law had. I'm really sorry for your loss.
There are all the sayings about grief, how you can't get around it, you have to go through it, and I know my life won't ever be the same, but I'm also incredibly grateful for all that my mother gave me, and the reason the loss feels so painful is because she made my life that much fuller. Hope you're well, and thanks for reading.
I remember the Danny, Dave and Moore episode, where you discussed about your Mom's passing. When I listened to that episode I felt we are one big family and now this great article on giving an another perspective of looking at our life. Thank you for this!!!
Thanks for listening then and reading now, Naven. I think I've learned an awful lot about myself over these past three years, and one of those things is how much I value the connections that I've made. Really grateful for your note!
Thanks for the response Danny, believe me it feels good to be heard. Keep it up and I also want to mention the comment made by an another user "Keri" about you sharing your vulnerability. I couldn't agree more, it's not easy to do, it's not a sign of weakness rather it's inspiring.
Superlatives fall short in praise of this heartful piece. Sharing your vulnerabilities and teachable moments that transformed you, is inspired writing. Thank you! PS. Don't worry about your wife "paying the rent" right now. You guys chose to move in support of her career. You've said it a couple times, so it must bother you.
Hey Keri: Thanks so much for your note, and I'm kind of poking fun at myself about being insecure about the rent. You're right, Sharon and I did agree to it. She has even pointed out that I covered all the monthly expenses while she was in grad school. I find it interesting, and kind of instructive, that I do feel some insecurity about that. I consider myself to be someone who is not beholden to traditional gender stereotypes or the breadwinner archetype for men yet it has made me feel insecure and uncomfortable right now as I kind of build my own thing, to rely on her income.
My reaction when I find something like this -- a contradiction between how I think I should feel and how I actually feel -- my inclination is to haul that out into the daylight to poke around at it. My hope is that we all kind of laugh about me being kind of ridiculous.
I enjoy and appreciate your honesty and willingness to bare your soul - the good and bad, highs and lows with us, Danny. It really shows your human-ness. I always enjoyed how you would laugh at yourself on your radio shows. (Miss you on DD and M)
Thanks very much, Cynthia. I learned so much in my 8 years on the radio, but two things really surprised me. 1) I'm way more of a ham than I ever thought; 2) I am a true extrovert, drawing energy from my conversations and interactions with others, and in sharing my personal truths, I've drawn strength and encouragement from the connections those conversations have forged with others. I'm not just grateful for those connections, I'm inspired by them. I'm happy that you've drawn something from my work because I know that I've gained something through our connection.
This is a beautiful perspective. And a wonderful way to look at life. Your writings are so refreshing and real. I love the vulnerability which is so difficult in times where everyone seems to need to show a “perfect” face. Thank you Danny!! Miss you on the radio too💚💙
Simply beautiful, Danny. Thank you for sharing such a special perspective. I am enjoying your personal narratives even more than your sports writing.
Thanks, Cynthia. I really appreciate that. I'm using this as a place to experiment with personal essay -- something I haven't written much of -- but also trying to find a balance between that and sports so it's honestly super helpful to know that my introspective writing isn't too cringey!
Yep, I called my mom after reading this. It is all a gift.
Thanks, Kevin. And I'll bet your Mom loved the call!
A lovely essay, Danny. “It’s all a gift” is a gift I needed to hear today. Thank you for paying it forward.
Thanks, Carl. Hope you and your family are well!
Carol is “beaming” as well. It’s all she ever wanted, for you and your sibs, to be the strong wise caring folks you all are.
Thank you for sharing. It means more than you know.
That's so very sweet of you, Jann. Our families are tied together, always!
Rob is beaming. xoxo
I found a picture from 1987 that includes Tom and Rob at that Bay Area reunion where I met them. Tom is wearing a green, sweat-stained T-shirt as he had been busy hooping prior to the photo!
Thank you Danny for this beautiful piece. I have read and reread it several times. And each time, I find myself tearfully smiling, if that makes any sense.
Rob told me about your conversation when he came home. He felt it was a conversation filled with grace for you both. Articulating and sharing what he was learning through his own illness helped him as it helped you. And it affirmed how he believed grace works in the world- somehow bringing the right people into our paths, with just the right words, at just the right time when we are ready to hear.
It was wonderful to have you and Sharon at Rob’s memorial. It was a gift to me and the kids.
Thank you for sharing your writing gifts with us all.
Love,
Maureen
Oh, Maureen. Sorry I didn't see this note earlier. I do believe that our intersections have been an example of grace, and I will forever be grateful for it. Hope you, the boys and grandkids are all well!
I thank my lucky stars that I met your mom and dad at UCSB in 1968, that we became the closest of friends and that I can continue to see them through your beautiful writing.
Thanks Danny, what an appropriate subject/timing as I also lost my mom a year ago next week from pancreatic cancer. Yours and Rob's perspective was a much needed read. Thank you and I know your mom is proud of how your words are helping others!
Really sorry, Jeff. Pancreatic cancer is an absolute bear of a disease. It's what my brother-in-law had. I'm really sorry for your loss.
There are all the sayings about grief, how you can't get around it, you have to go through it, and I know my life won't ever be the same, but I'm also incredibly grateful for all that my mother gave me, and the reason the loss feels so painful is because she made my life that much fuller. Hope you're well, and thanks for reading.
❤️ #allergiesnotcrying
Thanks Danny I needed this one today.
Thanks, Bill. I really appreciate that.
Beautiful and poignant! You are a great writer as your mom said. Keep them coming!
Thanks very much, Cynthia. But seriously, what else was she going to say???
I remember the Danny, Dave and Moore episode, where you discussed about your Mom's passing. When I listened to that episode I felt we are one big family and now this great article on giving an another perspective of looking at our life. Thank you for this!!!
Thanks for listening then and reading now, Naven. I think I've learned an awful lot about myself over these past three years, and one of those things is how much I value the connections that I've made. Really grateful for your note!
Thanks for the response Danny, believe me it feels good to be heard. Keep it up and I also want to mention the comment made by an another user "Keri" about you sharing your vulnerability. I couldn't agree more, it's not easy to do, it's not a sign of weakness rather it's inspiring.
Happy Friday! This was the article i needed to get me through the day! Inspiring! Thank you and i look forward to the next one…
Thank you so much for reading, Sonia. Really grateful for your note.
Superlatives fall short in praise of this heartful piece. Sharing your vulnerabilities and teachable moments that transformed you, is inspired writing. Thank you! PS. Don't worry about your wife "paying the rent" right now. You guys chose to move in support of her career. You've said it a couple times, so it must bother you.
Hey Keri: Thanks so much for your note, and I'm kind of poking fun at myself about being insecure about the rent. You're right, Sharon and I did agree to it. She has even pointed out that I covered all the monthly expenses while she was in grad school. I find it interesting, and kind of instructive, that I do feel some insecurity about that. I consider myself to be someone who is not beholden to traditional gender stereotypes or the breadwinner archetype for men yet it has made me feel insecure and uncomfortable right now as I kind of build my own thing, to rely on her income.
My reaction when I find something like this -- a contradiction between how I think I should feel and how I actually feel -- my inclination is to haul that out into the daylight to poke around at it. My hope is that we all kind of laugh about me being kind of ridiculous.
Hey Danny, it's so kind of you to reply so thoroughly. I agree with you that daylight on our fault lines is good medicine.
Ooooooh. That's a hell of a line, Keri! "Daylight on our fault lines ..."
Aww shucks! Thx. You have great ones all the time.
I enjoy and appreciate your honesty and willingness to bare your soul - the good and bad, highs and lows with us, Danny. It really shows your human-ness. I always enjoyed how you would laugh at yourself on your radio shows. (Miss you on DD and M)
Thanks very much, Cynthia. I learned so much in my 8 years on the radio, but two things really surprised me. 1) I'm way more of a ham than I ever thought; 2) I am a true extrovert, drawing energy from my conversations and interactions with others, and in sharing my personal truths, I've drawn strength and encouragement from the connections those conversations have forged with others. I'm not just grateful for those connections, I'm inspired by them. I'm happy that you've drawn something from my work because I know that I've gained something through our connection.
Special and meaningful perspective we all need. Keep writing!
Tony
This is a beautiful perspective. And a wonderful way to look at life. Your writings are so refreshing and real. I love the vulnerability which is so difficult in times where everyone seems to need to show a “perfect” face. Thank you Danny!! Miss you on the radio too💚💙