Rethinking the animosity

#1
DoolTool

DoolTool

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#1
My 83 year old father recently passed from cancer. He was a very hardworking, Christian man who never swayed, always keeping his nose to the grindstone. No condolences needed here, as I was able to have him in my life for 56 years. He could not afford to go to Neyland, but I was fortunate to share a couple of Vol blowouts in Nashville. Anyway, the day before he started his rapid decline, I asked Antone if a VFL could possibly call to lift his spirits. As I said, the day before his decline. The next day, Antone requested a number so CPF could call. I gave him the #, and Coach tried to call 3 times, all at times we were attending to his needs, the last time the morning after he passed. The next day, Antone reached out as CJM wanted to speak to Dad. What a wonderful testament to these men, and their concern for the "family". I'm pretty guilt laden over the criticism I threw their way, and am proud to be a member of Volnation. GBO
 
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#4
#4
DoolTool said:
My 83 year old father recently passed from cancer. He was a very hardworking, Christian man who never swayed, always keeping his nose to the grindstone. No condolences needed here, as I was able to have him in my life for 56 years. He could not afford to go to Neyland, but I was fortunate to share a couple of Vol blowouts in Nashville. Anyway, the day before he started his rapid decline, I asked Antone if a VFL could possibly call to lift his spirits. As I said, the day before his decline. The next day, Antone requested a number so CPF could call. I gave him the #, and Coach tried to call 3 times, all at times we were attending to his needs, the last time the morning after he passed. The next day, Antone reached out as CJM wanted to speak to Dad. What a wonderful testament to these men, and their concern for the "family". I'm pretty guilt laden over the criticism I threw their way, and am proud to be a member of Volnation. GBO
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It's early in the morn, and I'm sure I'll sound like a fool, but I cannot recall who CJM might be at the moment
 
#7
#7
DoolTool said:
My 83 year old father recently passed from cancer. He was a very hardworking, Christian man who never swayed, always keeping his nose to the grindstone. No condolences needed here, as I was able to have him in my life for 56 years. He could not afford to go to Neyland, but I was fortunate to share a couple of Vol blowouts in Nashville. Anyway, the day before he started his rapid decline, I asked Antone if a VFL could possibly call to lift his spirits. As I said, the day before his decline. The next day, Antone requested a number so CPF could call. I gave him the #, and Coach tried to call 3 times, all at times we were attending to his needs, the last time the morning after he passed. The next day, Antone reached out as CJM wanted to speak to Dad. What a wonderful testament to these men, and their concern for the "family". I'm pretty guilt laden over the criticism I threw their way, and am proud to be a member of Volnation. GBO
Click to expand...

Sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing.
 
#8
#8
DoolTool said:
My 83 year old father recently passed from cancer. He was a very hardworking, Christian man who never swayed, always keeping his nose to the grindstone. No condolences needed here, as I was able to have him in my life for 56 years. He could not afford to go to Neyland, but I was fortunate to share a couple of Vol blowouts in Nashville. Anyway, the day before he started his rapid decline, I asked Antone if a VFL could possibly call to lift his spirits. As I said, the day before his decline. The next day, Antone requested a number so CPF could call. I gave him the #, and Coach tried to call 3 times, all at times we were attending to his needs, the last time the morning after he passed. The next day, Antone reached out as CJM wanted to speak to Dad. What a wonderful testament to these men, and their concern for the "family". I'm pretty guilt laden over the criticism I threw their way, and am proud to be a member of Volnation. GBO
Click to expand...
Family.
 
#9
#9
Great story.

So sorry for your loss. My father passed away in March last year. We got to attend the UT/UGA blow out in 2009. Remember those moments with your dad. You'll need them in the coming months.

Thanks for sharing.
 
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#11
#11
Thanks so much for sharing... really reminds me how small football is in the grand scheme although we make it seem like such a big deal. God bless.
 
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#12
#12
bleedorange1983 said:
Thanks so much for sharing... really reminds me how small football is in the grand scheme although we make it seem like such a big deal. God bless.
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This. Man, lost my dad @ 4 years ago. Took me to the O/W in 1973(?) iirc. Jackie Walker, Haskell Stanback etc. Like losing an anchor when you lose a good father who proved he cared about you.

Great story and great to hear @ the past coaches taking the time for that. Wow!
 
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#13
#13
Sorry for your loss, thanx for sharing this story, helps keep things in perspective. We really do have a great staff, former staff and fan base!!! It gets proven every year/day somehow! Last year and the tragedy of RichRollin and stories like this is why I KNOW that the entire VOL nation is the best in the land!! Proud to be a VOL!! GBO family keep on keepin on........
 
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#15
#15
livefaith said:
This. Man, lost my dad @ 4 years ago. Took me to the O/W in 1973(?) iirc. Jackie Walker, Haskell Stanback etc. Like losing an anchor when you lose a good father who proved he cared about you.

Great story and great to hear @ the past coaches taking the time for that. Wow!
Click to expand...

That is the great thing about sports... you might talk about the championships and all the successful seasons, but it is the games that you share with loved ones that will be the best memories. I am fortunate enough to still get to attend games with my father and win/lose it is always my favorite games of the year.
 
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#16
#16
DoolTool said:
My 83 year old father recently passed from cancer. He was a very hardworking, Christian man who never swayed, always keeping his nose to the grindstone. No condolences needed here, as I was able to have him in my life for 56 years. He could not afford to go to Neyland, but I was fortunate to share a couple of Vol blowouts in Nashville. Anyway, the day before he started his rapid decline, I asked Antone if a VFL could possibly call to lift his spirits. As I said, the day before his decline. The next day, Antone requested a number so CPF could call. I gave him the #, and Coach tried to call 3 times, all at times we were attending to his needs, the last time the morning after he passed. The next day, Antone reached out as CJM wanted to speak to Dad. What a wonderful testament to these men, and their concern for the "family". I'm pretty guilt laden over the criticism I threw their way, and am proud to be a member of Volnation. GBO
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing .... these men are true VFL's
 
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#18
#18
Man sorry for your loss!!! Glad to hear VFL really does mean something and not just coach speak!!! Your Dad's in a better place!! God's Blessings to your family.
 
#20
#20
Thanks for sharing OP. Prayers offered for peace and healing.

8 years ago for my dad at the same age of 83. First game spent together in the north end zone bleachers in 1963 watching Steve DeLong destroy an O-line. Through the years the games we attended together bring back happy memories. AD is an excellent VFL representative for the program and university. One of the good guys that genuinely cares. No surprise to me at all that he would try his best to make the arrangements for the calls and that they would call. Family.
 
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#21
#21
Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your father. I lost mine in July. It is not an easy thing to go through, but I am glad to hear the Vol Family was there for you in your time of loss. Just goes to show how big Tennessee Football really is.
 
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#23
#23
It really is uplifting to hear stories of fathers who spent time taking their sons to games. My father didn't. Life was too hard for him. Loved him though I did. He died in 1991. Treasure those good memories. I'd give it all to have them. Gods mercy will comfort the pain of your loss!!!!
 
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#24
#24
Hey we are all proud VFL's and this warms my heart to see that the people in charge of our football program are EXACTLY the kind of people that understand how deep Orange blood runs... Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing.... GBO!!!!!
 
#25
#25
Thank you for sharing this story in what is, no doubt, a very difficult time. I will pray for your family and I would like you to know how gratifying it was to read your post about these true VFL men. God Bless you.
 
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