The 61-year-old is in search of something bigger than himself, in both a spiritual and physical sense. Wedged between open bars and long tables of catered food, professional football players young and old mingle with assorted VIPs. We're at the Adobe-sponsored NFL House, a party that on a normal day we would never sniff. But it is not a normal day; it is the day before the Super Bowl. For this weekend, we are not normal people. We are VIPs.
He would initiate a verbal confrontation with Andrew and say things like, You are not my son. Later, he'd clarify that he meant Andrew doesn't act like his older brother does. Another example: You didn't call me last week, so I'm not going to help you out today. The one blessing is that both boys love each other. I believe children should know they are loved by their parents. They should not have to continually prove they are worthy of their parent's love.
From running with his father, with whom he had a seemingly difficult and complex relationship, to using running to navigate recovery from thyroid cancer, to diving deep into training with Nike to try to run the Chicago Marathon in a new personal best at the age of 44, Thompson explores how this simple sport has driven, dictated, and helped him navigate the bigger questions in life.
The majority of "Stooper" takes place at the track where the boy's father asks him, "Who do you like in the second?" making sure the boy understands it's not who do you "want," but who do you "like"? There's something about Captain Midnight that captures the boy's interest. The father explains "odds" to him and that Captain Midnight is a bad bet (10-1 odds). The boy insists. It's his money, he can do whatever he wants with it. Captain Midnight, it is.
The oldest one is recommending the book he's just finished to me. You should read this, he says, handing me a well-thumbed paperback, which I turn over in my hands. Blue, I say. The cover's blue, yeah, he says. It's a translation, and not much happens, but it's good. OK, I say. I'm already reading a book, but I will take this on holiday with me. Now I need a new book, he says. Any ideas? This has never happened before.
My husband "Trent" and I have a 14-year-old son, "Michael," who started high school last month. Michael is attending the same high school Trent went to where he was the star of the football team. Trent has been pressuring our son to try out for football since practically the day he graduated from junior high. Michael did not try out-he's into lacrosse-and Trent has ratcheted up the pressure, trying to convince him there's still time for him to join (there isn't). He's even gone so far as to offer to buy him a car when he's old enough to drive if he play football! Michael is really beginning to tire of his dad's pestering, but his objections go in one ear and out the other with Trent. What can I do to get through to my husband that our son already has a sport he enjoys?