Beautifully captured and written Donna. Please tell Gregory thank you for opening up about this arc in his life. My dad would have also turned 80 next month had we not lost him to cancer at 65 (also to agent orange). He was a tree monkey in Vietnam. A forward sniper sneaking behind enemy lines to gather intel and secure safe routes. I’ve read many books and watched many documentaries trying to understand what it was like for my dad to be in that situation. Because he just couldn’t and wouldn’t talk about it. My dad had the biggest softest heart and I suspect what he was ordered to do in Vietnam was so opposed to who he was at his core that it was painful to admit he was ever involved…let alone opening the door to relive any part of the fear involved in those young formative years. The softening Gregory has done over his life gives me hope for the rest of us. You are both proving that by choosing grace…aging becomes a celebration of gaining wisdom for deepening love. Thank you for sharing your love with us.
I'm sitting here, tears rolling down my face, and Brad, I will convey your gratitude. Since your dad was a tree monkey, he also had greater exposure to Agent Orange. So very sorry you lost him 15 years ago.
I bet one of the primary reasons your dad shied away from talking about Vietnam was what we left out of this article. Because my ranting is not where I wanted to go with this post. But to you, I shall confide. If someone else reads this, then so be it.
Unlike veterans of previous wars, Vietnam veterans received no public celebrations or parades upon their return. They were condemned in so many ways.
When Gregory landed in the US, he was confronted by anti-war protesters carrying signs with negative slogans, blaming him for a "war" he was not responsible for.
And he was spat on! When he told me this, my heart broke.
I wish there were some ways I could help to heal the invisible wounds of Vietnam and other combat veterans who quietly suffer from PTSD.
And sadly, rather than being silent, some pent-up emotions surface as anger, rage, guilt, or worse yet, spiral into addiction.
Thank you, Donna, for this moving story of your Hub3's life over those 80 years of experiences both terrifying and triumphant, and the spirit in which he lived them, and in which you and he live together now and for the future.
Many, many cheers for two wonderful human beings, and for their life affirmation no matter what!
If Hub3's 80th birthday was just now, he and I are both May kids. I'm having mine (81st haha!) this coming May 26.
Thank you so much for restacking especially since we are artful agers, @Patricia Patterson 💜. I’ve considered changing the name of my stack to Aging Out Loud, but poker is my overarching umbrella.
Poker mirrors life on so many levels:
Playing the crappy cards life deals the best we can…
Remaining unattached to the outcome…
Celebrating wins regardless of how small…
Discovering lessons within our mistakes…
Playing with grits, guts, and glee as if we've already won.
WOW! I love my early morning moments pecking on my phone thanking amazing souls like you, Patti!
Please celebrate with me.
I just wrote the framework for a note, post, and few chapters in my upcoming book, Poker Mirrors Life.
It has been collecting virtual static dust for two decades and I broke the record of No’s that Chicken Soup for the Soul had 😜
Beautifully captured and written Donna. Please tell Gregory thank you for opening up about this arc in his life. My dad would have also turned 80 next month had we not lost him to cancer at 65 (also to agent orange). He was a tree monkey in Vietnam. A forward sniper sneaking behind enemy lines to gather intel and secure safe routes. I’ve read many books and watched many documentaries trying to understand what it was like for my dad to be in that situation. Because he just couldn’t and wouldn’t talk about it. My dad had the biggest softest heart and I suspect what he was ordered to do in Vietnam was so opposed to who he was at his core that it was painful to admit he was ever involved…let alone opening the door to relive any part of the fear involved in those young formative years. The softening Gregory has done over his life gives me hope for the rest of us. You are both proving that by choosing grace…aging becomes a celebration of gaining wisdom for deepening love. Thank you for sharing your love with us.
I'm sitting here, tears rolling down my face, and Brad, I will convey your gratitude. Since your dad was a tree monkey, he also had greater exposure to Agent Orange. So very sorry you lost him 15 years ago.
I bet one of the primary reasons your dad shied away from talking about Vietnam was what we left out of this article. Because my ranting is not where I wanted to go with this post. But to you, I shall confide. If someone else reads this, then so be it.
Unlike veterans of previous wars, Vietnam veterans received no public celebrations or parades upon their return. They were condemned in so many ways.
When Gregory landed in the US, he was confronted by anti-war protesters carrying signs with negative slogans, blaming him for a "war" he was not responsible for.
And he was spat on! When he told me this, my heart broke.
I wish there were some ways I could help to heal the invisible wounds of Vietnam and other combat veterans who quietly suffer from PTSD.
And sadly, rather than being silent, some pent-up emotions surface as anger, rage, guilt, or worse yet, spiral into addiction.
Thank you, Donna, for this moving story of your Hub3's life over those 80 years of experiences both terrifying and triumphant, and the spirit in which he lived them, and in which you and he live together now and for the future.
Many, many cheers for two wonderful human beings, and for their life affirmation no matter what!
If Hub3's 80th birthday was just now, he and I are both May kids. I'm having mine (81st haha!) this coming May 26.
Here's something I wrote a year ago when I turned a mere 80: "Restless at 80 - What's Next?" https://medium.com/karines-musings-on-this-and-that/restless-at-80-whats-next-d674b419c1ac?sk=58d150191632341b930f9c037691b442
I love your Restless at 80 piece on Medium and replied. I have no idea how your stellar writing can be so overlooked there on Medium!
As I mentioned on the restack that you did of this, for which I am profoundly grateful, Hubs3 is your baby brother and will be 81 on August 10.
I adore you more than you will ever know.
Love and hugs continue...
Brilliant story, exquisitely told - thank you - so many life experiences packaged into a relationship still thriving.
Thank you, Barbara, for those wonderful words 💜
We often mention to each other that we know no other couple as fortunate as we are
Thank you so much for restacking especially since we are artful agers, @Patricia Patterson 💜. I’ve considered changing the name of my stack to Aging Out Loud, but poker is my overarching umbrella.
Poker mirrors life on so many levels:
Playing the crappy cards life deals the best we can…
Remaining unattached to the outcome…
Celebrating wins regardless of how small…
Discovering lessons within our mistakes…
Playing with grits, guts, and glee as if we've already won.
WOW! I love my early morning moments pecking on my phone thanking amazing souls like you, Patti!
Please celebrate with me.
I just wrote the framework for a note, post, and few chapters in my upcoming book, Poker Mirrors Life.
It has been collecting virtual static dust for two decades and I broke the record of No’s that Chicken Soup for the Soul had 😜
Consider yourself hugged 🤗
This is such a moving story. You two are adorable.
Gregory, thank you for your service. Your journey is an incredible inspiration. Many blessings to you.
Donna you're a badass what can I say 😆