Great tribute to Sharpie. What a legend. Stubborn, combative, disagreeable traits are critical to civilization and seem to be inherited - it’s on us motherfuckers now.
Fantastic piece and a nice tribute to your grandfather. I think he would be very proud how his "motherfucker" turned out and what you're doing to try and right the ship
You forgot the part about your grandfather throwing the donation paper at you while screaming in your face and then walking out the door and driving away somewhere in the car. That was the horrifying part that lingered forever ghostly in the family. And o think you were more like 8 or 9. Besides those things this is a moving and revelatory piece
We bear those regrets - like a sack of shit on our shoulders - to the grave. All the while, unbeknownst to us, leaving behind a trail of fertile soil for those who follow behind us. That is, if we bear the sacks well, not leaving a mess for others to step in.
"He would’ve hated Trump, just as my grandmother did, due to his bombast and bad manners."
I would have thought my father--a good-humored, kind, pure Burkean conservative--would have as well. But way back in 2015, we were discussing the upcoming GOP primaries and I mentioned I was considering voting for Trump. My dad and I were best friends. Our talks were always pleasurable and punctuated with all the wisecracks and inside jokes that we guffawed over to the exclusion of everyone else. But my dad straightened up and got a really solemn look on his face and he said, "Oh, you have to."
I wish he were still around. He would be relishing these days.
Thank God for those awful regrets of our childhood, as they form the foundation of an adulthood with fewer of them.
Your grandfather reminds me a lot of my dad, and with an apparent uncharity that is misunderstood by part of his family. The older I get, though, the more I find myself in line with him.
Refusal to play along is truly admirable in these fake times. It’s the masculine energy all of us need to harness if we want to fix our society. Great tribute
Great tribute to Sharpie. What a legend. Stubborn, combative, disagreeable traits are critical to civilization and seem to be inherited - it’s on us motherfuckers now.
“The totally brazen refusal to play along.” Brilliant observation.
What a great story. Have lots of kids and name one of them after him.
Love the last line
Fantastic piece and a nice tribute to your grandfather. I think he would be very proud how his "motherfucker" turned out and what you're doing to try and right the ship
Excellent piece, makes me miss my own grandfather even more.
You forgot the part about your grandfather throwing the donation paper at you while screaming in your face and then walking out the door and driving away somewhere in the car. That was the horrifying part that lingered forever ghostly in the family. And o think you were more like 8 or 9. Besides those things this is a moving and revelatory piece
And honestly this addition to the story makes me like the grandfather even more
Wait. Is this really Isaac’s mom?
Early life checks out
We bear those regrets - like a sack of shit on our shoulders - to the grave. All the while, unbeknownst to us, leaving behind a trail of fertile soil for those who follow behind us. That is, if we bear the sacks well, not leaving a mess for others to step in.
Thanks for the story.
"He would’ve hated Trump, just as my grandmother did, due to his bombast and bad manners."
I would have thought my father--a good-humored, kind, pure Burkean conservative--would have as well. But way back in 2015, we were discussing the upcoming GOP primaries and I mentioned I was considering voting for Trump. My dad and I were best friends. Our talks were always pleasurable and punctuated with all the wisecracks and inside jokes that we guffawed over to the exclusion of everyone else. But my dad straightened up and got a really solemn look on his face and he said, "Oh, you have to."
I wish he were still around. He would be relishing these days.
Got any kids?
Yeah
Thank God for those awful regrets of our childhood, as they form the foundation of an adulthood with fewer of them.
Your grandfather reminds me a lot of my dad, and with an apparent uncharity that is misunderstood by part of his family. The older I get, though, the more I find myself in line with him.
Great piece. Well-written, unvarnished, insightful.
Fantastic work.
Your personal short stories are the best!
Refusal to play along is truly admirable in these fake times. It’s the masculine energy all of us need to harness if we want to fix our society. Great tribute
Love this story