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Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye Browns Super Bowl Dreams


calfoxwc

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I'll always remember that I went to a Browns game - before I was born. All these many years, Dad and I loved watching our Browns.

 

I remember one time, in the second grade, Dad and I went fishing one morning - 5:30 AM early. We drove to the lake, and after a while of fishing,

I got bored because the fish hadn't starting biting, so I went walking out on a tree over the shoreline, and stopped at the end, over about five

feet of water. As I turned around to walk back.... I skipped and fell in with a giant "kerploosh!". On our way home, to get me into some dry clothes,

I told Dad I was so sorry for ending our fishing outing. He just grinned, and said that we were coming right back out, I just did us a favor and woke

the fish up. And we did go right back out, and caught at least a hundred nice bluegill and redears. I always admired how he handled situations -

I never forgot how cool he was that time.

 

Well, he always was. Another time, one afternoon, the fish weren't biting as we sat out in our 17 foot canoe, and I was still a youngster, and I got

fidgety. He looked at me, and asked me how high I thought the sky was. Well, that turned into a long, very interesting conversation about how if the

sky/universe ended, and if it did, well, what was beyond that end? And, sure enough, before we figured it all out, the fish started biting.

 

Before I got my first shotgun, in the fifth grade, he said they'd get me one, but I'd have to carry my bbgun when we went hunting, and I

had to always carry it per his safety rules. For that whole year in the 4th grade. Sure enough, I did, and I still have that old 12 gauge single shot today.

 

I've always learned a ton of cool things from my Dad - he always could make you laugh in his quiet way, and was always so very smart,

and knew the outdoors stuff like crazy. We fixed all our own cars over all those years. He could fix anything - he really could. He'd just figure it out,

and never once get tired of tackling fix it jobs.

 

And watching Browns games together all these years, I always knew I would take us to a Browns superbowl no matter what it would cost.

We went to a last Browns game, this year - preseason, tickets compliments of a great friend. He had a tough time doing all the walking to the stadium and to

our seats, but simply joked about it the entire time.

 

We always dreamed how great that would be - going in person to that superbowl. All the lost years of wasted coaching picks, bad drafts, stupid personnel people.......

and it's all gone now. I'll never go to one. That dream died tonight.

 

I have always admired him. We have always been friends in a huge way, me and Dad.

 

But tonight, after several bouts of cancer over the years, we lost him. Too many things hit him at one time, this time.

 

There isn't one man on earth I would have wanted to be my Dad instead of him. He was 85 - a long time to hang in there, with us, watching the Browns every single

season. I'm a very lucky guy, but it doesn't make the heartbreak stay away.

 

Goodbye, Browns Super Bowl Dreams. One day, I'll see him again - and I'll tell him I'm ai sorry we never made those superbowl dreams come true.

 

And, sure enough, he'll grin at me, and talk about where the sky ends, if it does, until the fish starting hitting. Goodbye, Dad. Love you always and forever.

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Really sorry for your loss man. Cancer is absolutely awful. Just pass your love of the Browns to a child of your own if you haven't already. The Browns can't be awful forever and they're already hanging tough in most games this season. I'd wager those games spent with you meant more to your dad than the Browns winning and losing.

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I'll always remember that I went to a Browns game - before I was born. All these many years, Dad and I loved watching our Browns.

 

I remember one time, in the second grade, Dad and I went fishing one morning - 5:30 AM early. We drove to the lake, and after a while of fishing,

I got bored because the fish hadn't starting biting, so I went walking out on a tree over the shoreline, and stopped at the end, over about five

feet of water. As I turned around to walk back.... I skipped and fell in with a giant "kerploosh!". On our way home, to get me into some dry clothes,

I told Dad I was so sorry for ending our fishing outing. He just grinned, and said that we were coming right back out, I just did us a favor and woke

the fish up. And we did go right back out, and caught at least a hundred nice bluegill and redears. I always admired how he handled situations -

I never forgot how cool he was that time.

 

Well, he always was. Another time, one afternoon, the fish weren't biting as we sat out in our 17 foot canoe, and I was still a youngster, and I got

fidgety. He looked at me, and asked me how high I thought the sky was. Well, that turned into a long, very interesting conversation about how if the

sky/universe ended, and if it did, well, what was beyond that end? And, sure enough, before we figured it all out, the fish started biting.

 

Before I got my first shotgun, in the fifth grade, he said they'd get me one, but I'd have to carry my bbgun when we went hunting, and I

had to always carry it per his safety rules. For that whole year in the 4th grade. Sure enough, I did, and I still have that old 12 gauge single shot today.

 

I've always learned a ton of cool things from my Dad - he always could make you laugh in his quiet way, and was always so very smart,

and knew the outdoors stuff like crazy. We fixed all our own cars over all those years. He could fix anything - he really could. He'd just figure it out,

and never once get tired of tackling fix it jobs.

 

And watching Browns games together all these years, I always knew I would take us to a Browns superbowl no matter what it would cost.

We went to a last Browns game, this year - preseason, tickets compliments of a great friend. He had a tough time doing all the walking to the stadium and to

our seats, but simply joked about it the entire time.

 

We always dreamed how great that would be - going in person to that superbowl. All the lost years of wasted coaching picks, bad drafts, stupid personnel people.......

and it's all gone now. I'll never go to one. That dream died tonight.

 

I have always admired him. We have always been friends in a huge way, me and Dad.

 

But tonight, after several bouts of cancer over the years, we lost him. Too many things hit him at one time, this time.

 

There isn't one man on earth I would have wanted to be my Dad instead of him. He was 85 - a long time to hang in there, with us, watching the Browns every single

season. I'm a very lucky guy, but it doesn't make the heartbreak stay away.

 

Goodbye, Browns Super Bowl Dreams. One day, I'll see him again - and I'll tell him I'm ai sorry we never made those superbowl dreams come true.

 

And, sure enough, he'll grin at me, and talk about where the sky ends, if it does, until the fish starting hitting. Goodbye, Dad. Love you always and forever.

 

 

Cal, A very beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for you loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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Mike,

When you told me your Dad ASKED you to take him to the hospital, I Prayed, thinking he KNEW his time was near.

I am so sorry for your loss, but you have countless great memories. I'll always remember & treasure the memories of watching the Browns vs Steelers, the 2012 NFL Draft, & making Training Camp with your Dad. I'm sure there were times your Dad was in pain, but no one would ever know. He was a MAN who I'm proud & Blessed to have known.

 

My Dad passed in 1973, but I still feel his presence sharing events in my life. Your Dad will watch that Super Bowl by your side.

 

Love & Prayers go out to you, Pat, and Family. If you need anything or just need to talk, call or stop by ANYTIME.

God Bless,

Mike

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I'll always remember that I went to a Browns game - before I was born. All these many years, Dad and I loved watching our Browns.

 

I remember one time, in the second grade, Dad and I went fishing one morning - 5:30 AM early. We drove to the lake, and after a while of fishing,

I got bored because the fish hadn't starting biting, so I went walking out on a tree over the shoreline, and stopped at the end, over about five

feet of water. As I turned around to walk back.... I skipped and fell in with a giant "kerploosh!". On our way home, to get me into some dry clothes,

I told Dad I was so sorry for ending our fishing outing. He just grinned, and said that we were coming right back out, I just did us a favor and woke

the fish up. And we did go right back out, and caught at least a hundred nice bluegill and redears. I always admired how he handled situations -

I never forgot how cool he was that time.

 

Well, he always was. Another time, one afternoon, the fish weren't biting as we sat out in our 17 foot canoe, and I was still a youngster, and I got

fidgety. He looked at me, and asked me how high I thought the sky was. Well, that turned into a long, very interesting conversation about how if the

sky/universe ended, and if it did, well, what was beyond that end? And, sure enough, before we figured it all out, the fish started biting.

 

Before I got my first shotgun, in the fifth grade, he said they'd get me one, but I'd have to carry my bbgun when we went hunting, and I

had to always carry it per his safety rules. For that whole year in the 4th grade. Sure enough, I did, and I still have that old 12 gauge single shot today.

 

I've always learned a ton of cool things from my Dad - he always could make you laugh in his quiet way, and was always so very smart,

and knew the outdoors stuff like crazy. We fixed all our own cars over all those years. He could fix anything - he really could. He'd just figure it out,

and never once get tired of tackling fix it jobs.

 

And watching Browns games together all these years, I always knew I would take us to a Browns superbowl no matter what it would cost.

We went to a last Browns game, this year - preseason, tickets compliments of a great friend. He had a tough time doing all the walking to the stadium and to

our seats, but simply joked about it the entire time.

 

We always dreamed how great that would be - going in person to that superbowl. All the lost years of wasted coaching picks, bad drafts, stupid personnel people.......

and it's all gone now. I'll never go to one. That dream died tonight.

 

I have always admired him. We have always been friends in a huge way, me and Dad.

 

But tonight, after several bouts of cancer over the years, we lost him. Too many things hit him at one time, this time.

 

There isn't one man on earth I would have wanted to be my Dad instead of him. He was 85 - a long time to hang in there, with us, watching the Browns every single

season. I'm a very lucky guy, but it doesn't make the heartbreak stay away.

 

Goodbye, Browns Super Bowl Dreams. One day, I'll see him again - and I'll tell him I'm ai sorry we never made those superbowl dreams come true.

 

And, sure enough, he'll grin at me, and talk about where the sky ends, if it does, until the fish starting hitting. Goodbye, Dad. Love you always and forever.

 

Nothing I can say that hasn't been said cal. I am awfully sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Sincere condolences.

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feel blessed you had him for all those years (lost my mom at seven and my dad at thirty) and the memories that will last with you until you meet him again.

 

take solace in the fact that your god is now with him watching over you and the rest of your family.

 

sorry for the loss and the heartache.

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Cal,

I have been on this board for many years now. Have been and always will be a Browns fan no matter what. So many times I get very frustrated with the maturity level of some of the posters here on the board. Many times have thought aboout just quiting and not coming back. Thank you for reaffirming my faith in Browns fans. As I read your post to my wife I genuinely had tears in my eyes and had problems reading the post without having to take a break. What a tribute to your father...I wish I could have met him...someday I hope to meet you..you truly are your fathers son..God Bless you in your time of loss.

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... :(

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Hopefully, your post was theraputic as you process your grief. Your pops sounds like a wonderful father.

 

No matter what our accomplishments are in our lifetimes, if we give our children unconditonal love and support

 

then we can consider our time on this earth a success. My relationship with my deceased father was not a good one

 

and I made a promise to myself that I would do things much differently in raising my two sons. Reading your letter

 

inspires me further to live up to that committment. Although it's sad that he never got his dream of seeing the Browns

 

in the Super Bowl....never forget that his spirit will be with you when the Browns do play in that magical game.

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