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I guess I have been blessed w/my family. I read some of these postings, and I wonder - WTF? Now, I'm talking about my immediate family (Mom, Dad and Bro). Don't really know much of the extended family. But I'll tell you - I guess my family was the exception. My father was paralyzed at age 38 in 1968, stopping a hold-up at a 7-11. Four days before my 4th birthday. He was on what they now call the "fast track" w/FL Pwr as a foreman for land surveyors. Money earning days are over. My mother could have left, but she stood by his side. She went to work. Growing up, I knew of the physical differences between him and other dads, but he did his best to do what he could. He grew up playing football in HS and college (Missouri). Hated baseball. But, not being able to afford the football fees for me, he accepted baseball because it was what I wanted to play. He taught me a lot of basics around the house (plumbing, electrical, etc.). His father, my grandfather, taught me to ride a bicycle. His only regret was not taking me hunting, and I don't hold it against him. He took me fishing. I didn't really think of our family being much different than any others (besides learning how to cook at an early age), until later. My parents did everything they could to make life "normal" for me and my brother. Faced w/such a hardship, my parents showed me about perserverance. Sometimes you only think you have it rough.
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