Think back to the 1950’s. One day I came into my house crying because my best friend had hit me. I will never forget what my dad did. He walked me over to the back door that led to our screened in porch, shoved me out and said “son, until you stand up for yourself you can’t come back into the house”. It must have been late in the day for Dad to be home (he worked 3 jobs at the time) and I must have been under 7 years old. So I’m sure the thought of spending the night outside was not something I wanted to do. Very reluctantly I ventured across my back yard to sock my best friend. I really didn’t want to do this because he was my friend. Even though he socked me, I really didn’t want to do it. But I had my instructions from Dad and back then you did what your dad told you to do. I am sure I did sock my best friend back. As it is with boys we were still friend and still are to this day.
What did happen though changed me forever. If you invite me to the playground to fight I will show up. Even if I think I will lose, you can count on it I will be there.
I bring this up today because my pop who I could not love more, invited me to the playground of all places. He is 83 and most likely could still beat my ass but I had no choice but to show up. He sent an email out about healthcare. I understand everyone is all over the place on this and it is anyone’s guess where you are on the issue. But it turns out he and I are not on the same side.
I am not judging his opinion; I am just saying he asked me to come out on the playground and he told me what he thought. He passed on an email that he feels is in tune to his way of thinking (first punch). I googled the email and found out the facts are for the most part false. My turn to punch back. Not just to Dad, but everyone he copied. That was probably a low punch, but he left himself open and I took it. There is a part of me that feels bad about it. But then there is still the little boy in me that was told “go out and stick up for yourself or I won’t let you back in”. I did not want to punch my best friend back in the 1950’s and I didn’t want to punch my 83 year old pop today either. But he taught me that the playground is where we stand up for ourselves. So, if you don’t want me to play, don’t call me out to the playground. Especially regarding health care.
