Frozen In Half Life | 2.10.21
Today is a special day, and as such deserves a special newsletter. Today is the birthday of my father, the one and the only Glenn “Goose” Gregson. Today is also the birthday of my lovely wife’s father, Mike Hiel, a strange coincidence that sometimes makes you wonder if it’s a coincidence at all. Lessons can be learned from our fathers, rules for living a life that are taught by example, taught by gentle force, taught by strength that takes shape in a hundred different ways. We learn how to live from our parents, from those we call guardians, and I know Sarah and I have learned so much of what it is to live from ours. We know, from these brave men, what it is to live fully, rather than allowing ourselves to be frozen in some half life, terrified to take the steps forward, terrified to risk. My Dad has been in professional baseball quite literally my entire life, and has had to sacrifice a lot to make the ends meet for our family. He’s had to say goodbye more than anyone should ever have to say goodbye, all to keep the cogs on the wheel that was our family turning. This will never go unappreciated, never go unnoticed. I know Sarah’s Dad, as well, spent a lifetime nurturing green things to light, working 7 days a week in a state that doesn’t particularly harbor those green things to grow. We were the recipients of this effort, of this courage to give it all, even if it meant not leaving much for themselves.
Happy Birthday to my Daddy O and happy birthday to Sarah’s. My only hope is that you all have had someone, anyone, in your life that can teach you lessons like these. IF not, if tragically not, I hope you can learn them from the fathers in our lives, from these words passed down from them. Live a full life, give yourself to it, work hard, and be not afraid of sacrifice if it’s for something you love.
Happy Birthday, indeed.
A coward before,
terrified to truly live,
frozen in half life.
Haiku on Life by Tyler Knott Gregson
Song of the Day
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Wow so much to unpack in this. Happy Birthday to both your dads! I love the message as it is what I need to remember personally - as I push through to my dreams. Having lost 3 "fathers" and a mom, I am an orphan but with fantastic memories. Dad was a hardscrabble hardworking construction worker, and taught me strength - to be a fighter. Mont was the love of my mom's life and showed me unconditional love and acceptance - and found his dream. He was a North Dakota farm boy growing up fast with no dad, and helping to raise his siblings. He dreamed of having his own fishing boat and living on the sea. He did and was happiest right before he died. My stepfather Bob came to our lives late in life, and was a veteran of WW II, fighting on the same ocean - wounded in battle - softened with age, and loving my daughter as his own. These three men all offered something - individually to us. Having achieved one life's dream to travel to Ireland, I'm working on the second one - and as you wish yours well today, I remember mine.
Cedar and truck oil,
Sweet ocean and fish,
Love behind hard salt.
Thank you to my amazing son for this awesome birthday tribute! He often tells me that I have helped shape his life for the past 40 years... to which I will always remind him that HE has likewise helped shape mine!! With each passing birthday, Tyler (and my family) find ways to make my life even more precious!! I am a very lucky man!! As are all of you that have followed him for the past many years!!