What Were You in College
A late night muse on times long past53 total reviews
Comment from WilliamDeen
Ditto. Only thing I remember about college was I played baseball for three years then left. Then, I went back and quit again. Then, I went back and quit again. Then, I went back and became a teacher. Oh yea, I did the father thing also. Still not sure where I went wrong.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2011
  |
Ditto. Only thing I remember about college was I played baseball for three years then left. Then, I went back and quit again. Then, I went back and quit again. Then, I went back and became a teacher. Oh yea, I did the father thing also. Still not sure where I went wrong.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2011
-
It will age me, but quitting wasn't a real good option for me as the military draft and Vietnam were in full swing. I finished and then guess what happened? Yep, got drafted! Thanks for reading and your feedback. Regards, Bill
Comment from amahra
I love this writing. And I disagree with the speaker; I don't see were he fell short at all. I think kids just think different about life than when he was a youngster. I loved it when he said, college provided a safe place for kids and four years for them to grow up. That was precious.
This was a great story. I really enjoy reading it.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
|
I love this writing. And I disagree with the speaker; I don't see were he fell short at all. I think kids just think different about life than when he was a youngster. I loved it when he said, college provided a safe place for kids and four years for them to grow up. That was precious.
This was a great story. I really enjoy reading it.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
-
Thank you very much for reading and your kind feedback. I don't beat myself up, it's just that my hindsight is so good! Warm regards, Bill
Comment from bookishfabler
From this story, I wouldn't say you failed as a father. That is very strong. You wanted the best for your kids. All you did, is make a mistake many parents do, not let them find there own way financally. But THAT (lol) does not make you a bad father. YOu can not make decsions for your adult children. THey need to learn from their own mistakes, my friend. Now here we go....
na, na, na, na, na, na, na, THAT MAN! LOL. (In case it doesn't sound right on the screen, the theme from Batman.)
I do believe (-that) my experience might have been enriched by being a member of a fraternity, but for me, it wasn't in the cards.
Sometimes, I wish (-that) I had handled my own children
friends pointed out (-that) I should have (There are many 'that's in this whole paragraph, but the others fit.)
Both went where they wanted to go . My son joined (move period over)
I recognize (-that) college isn't for everyone.
I'm all thated out. Always love reading your stories.
lots of hugs
book
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
|
From this story, I wouldn't say you failed as a father. That is very strong. You wanted the best for your kids. All you did, is make a mistake many parents do, not let them find there own way financally. But THAT (lol) does not make you a bad father. YOu can not make decsions for your adult children. THey need to learn from their own mistakes, my friend. Now here we go....
na, na, na, na, na, na, na, THAT MAN! LOL. (In case it doesn't sound right on the screen, the theme from Batman.)
I do believe (-that) my experience might have been enriched by being a member of a fraternity, but for me, it wasn't in the cards.
Sometimes, I wish (-that) I had handled my own children
friends pointed out (-that) I should have (There are many 'that's in this whole paragraph, but the others fit.)
Both went where they wanted to go . My son joined (move period over)
I recognize (-that) college isn't for everyone.
I'm all thated out. Always love reading your stories.
lots of hugs
book
Comment Written 16-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
-
Hi Book - now "that's" just too much! Thanks for reading and your constructive input. I actually don't think I failed, but just think I could have done better. Regards, Bill
Comment from marcii
From what I read here you didn't fall short as a Father, you gave your children the opportunity to go to college. Many parents don't or cant afford to do so. It was your children's choices not to take that opportunity you gave them and make the most of it.
Marcii
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
|
From what I read here you didn't fall short as a Father, you gave your children the opportunity to go to college. Many parents don't or cant afford to do so. It was your children's choices not to take that opportunity you gave them and make the most of it.
Marcii
Comment Written 16-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
-
Hi Marcii - I appreciate you reading and for your kind feedback! Bill
Comment from Rama Rao
An excellent essay which I enjoyed reading. I could relate to you and empathise with you. There's a flaw in my psyche.-so it is in my case.
Secondly don't worry about college. "Nothing so retards education as a school ( or college)". This was said by a person no less than Oscar Wilde.
What matters is you succeeded in your business. Don't be hard on yourself about being a father. Let me add that when a father lost in an argument with his son, he said, "I had a better father than what you have."
Press on, regardless.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
|
An excellent essay which I enjoyed reading. I could relate to you and empathise with you. There's a flaw in my psyche.-so it is in my case.
Secondly don't worry about college. "Nothing so retards education as a school ( or college)". This was said by a person no less than Oscar Wilde.
What matters is you succeeded in your business. Don't be hard on yourself about being a father. Let me add that when a father lost in an argument with his son, he said, "I had a better father than what you have."
Press on, regardless.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2011
-
Thanks RR - first for reading and then for your insightful comments. Both are much appreciated! Bill
Comment from adewpearl
Oh, you were a penniless geek, not a Greek, in college :-)
I agree with you, expecting responsibility of our children is a good way to foster responsibility. I admire the fact that you are willing to share in a most thoughtful way where you assess you fell short - too many people in this world are into placing blame everywhere else but on their own shoulders. Brooke
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
|
Oh, you were a penniless geek, not a Greek, in college :-)
I agree with you, expecting responsibility of our children is a good way to foster responsibility. I admire the fact that you are willing to share in a most thoughtful way where you assess you fell short - too many people in this world are into placing blame everywhere else but on their own shoulders. Brooke
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
-
Thanks Brooke - a lot of folks took me to task. All I know is that I should have done better. Can't change it, and hindsight is perfect, but a regret that I didn't do better. Always warm regards, Bill
Comment from Paradox Tremors
College is not for everyone. I realized I was wasting my parents money and joined the Air Force. I don't regret my decision. I'm making a decent living and enjoying life. Love the read and your thoughts my friend.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
|
College is not for everyone. I realized I was wasting my parents money and joined the Air Force. I don't regret my decision. I'm making a decent living and enjoying life. Love the read and your thoughts my friend.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
-
I'm an Air Force brat and was in the Army myself. Not all bad! Thanks for reading and your kind comments. Regards, Bill
Comment from Winslow
Dear bhogg,
For the most part very well written and intriquing. I liked how you asked yourself the question and then proceeded to answer it, using your children for comparison. You kept my interest throughout. Don't be too hard on yourselve, parenting is hard and your divorce didn't help.
You overuse was and sometimes write passively. For example this is a suggested edit for this section.
Unfortunately, I missed the boat with my two kids, since I never got them to buy in to their own responsibility. Both went where they wanted to go. My son joined a fraternity, my daughter a sorority. They always had things paid for, and had ample pocket money. When I talked to them, I realized they were having a great time, but neither of them graduated.
I enjoyed reading this essay.
Warm regards,
Winslow
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
|
Dear bhogg,
For the most part very well written and intriquing. I liked how you asked yourself the question and then proceeded to answer it, using your children for comparison. You kept my interest throughout. Don't be too hard on yourselve, parenting is hard and your divorce didn't help.
You overuse was and sometimes write passively. For example this is a suggested edit for this section.
Unfortunately, I missed the boat with my two kids, since I never got them to buy in to their own responsibility. Both went where they wanted to go. My son joined a fraternity, my daughter a sorority. They always had things paid for, and had ample pocket money. When I talked to them, I realized they were having a great time, but neither of them graduated.
I enjoyed reading this essay.
Warm regards,
Winslow
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
-
Thanks for reading and the constructive feedback. I'll definitely take a look. Regards, Bill
Comment from Laurie Clayton
I thought this is a well written
and thought provoking and informative
piece of work. I don't think you're a bad father,
Children have to find there own place in the world
and no matter how much we would like, 'We can't put old
heads on young shoulders'
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
|
I thought this is a well written
and thought provoking and informative
piece of work. I don't think you're a bad father,
Children have to find there own place in the world
and no matter how much we would like, 'We can't put old
heads on young shoulders'
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
-
Hi Laurie - I very much appreciate your feedback. Regards, Bill
Comment from cheyennewy
Hi Bill,
I doubt you failed as a father sometimes children need to do their own thing before they learn at all. You gave your kids the chance at a good education and they failed...not your fault. Our children had their education at a community college but have excelled beyond my dreams. They did that not their father and I. This is a well written story and one I enjoyed reading....chey
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
|
Hi Bill,
I doubt you failed as a father sometimes children need to do their own thing before they learn at all. You gave your kids the chance at a good education and they failed...not your fault. Our children had their education at a community college but have excelled beyond my dreams. They did that not their father and I. This is a well written story and one I enjoyed reading....chey
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
-
Hi Chey - I don't think I failed, but that old hindsight is always so much better! Thanks for reading and your kind comments. Always warm regards, Bill
