42 Comments
User's avatar
Stephen Moore's avatar

"Regrets, when you’re still young, aren’t regrets — they’re reminders."

Damn. Wish I'd had that attitude in my 20s...

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thanks for the love man. Partial to that line too and wish I'd had it in my 30s ..;).

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Jody Gates's avatar

I mean, I'm glad to be able to have it in my 50s (since I can't remember my 20s or 30s any more anyway.)

My kids have adult thoughts now, and I'm better about being with them now. I wish I had just recorded the good moments better when their thoughts were more childlike.

Take more pictures and record more videos. The right ones still make us laugh when we're flipping through Google Photos.

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Will Myles's avatar

The power of simple writing. Incredible, dude.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thanks man. Trying to make a few of these kid friendly so L&L can read them.

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Nik's avatar

“That was a really good peach!”

They know like 100 words and yet, every single one still hits. Kids!

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Michael Thompson's avatar

I think being surrounded by kids has rubbed off on me as I'm not too much above 100;).

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Nik's avatar

😂

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Scott aka CoachInnerThought's avatar

"Silent conversations". Love this phrase. U said so much in this phrase in the writing but even more at the time on the bench. I wonder what u r son heard when u say yes to the peach and the time together. Thank u for this writing today. Really landed.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Scott. I'm partial to the "silent conversations" bit also as to this day it describes my relationship with my oldest. He's just cool whereas I often get nervous and need to fill the air. He's teaching me not to do that:) and our times fishing or just sitting on a bench which he likes to do have become/remained "our" time

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Michael Simmons's avatar

Beautiful post Mike!

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Michael.

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Lala Vic's avatar

Lovely. Best read of the day. More of this please.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you. I'll try.

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Alberto Cabas Vidani's avatar

Kids are a forcing function. They just don't care about our to do. They force us to constantly reconsider.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Well said man. Great getting to know you yesterday.

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Chandler Passafiume's avatar

Honestly the most beautiful post I've read today. I'm glad that you have that memory, brother 💙

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Wow. Thank you Chandler. Really nice of you to say and I really appreciate you taking the time.

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BEE Channel's avatar

I love the simplicity of that story. It really is the little moments that add up to be the most important in life. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you BEE and so very true about the little moments adding up to define our lives. Appreciate you taking the time to stop by - Michael.

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BEE Channel's avatar

You're welcome! Glad to do it!

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Kathy Ayers's avatar

Lovely. Just beautiful.

I’m curious about the answer to your question you asked but didn’t answer: Why did you initially say no?

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Ramon Salinas's avatar

Brilliant!

This should be required reading for every dad.

How do we get hospitals to hand it out with the kids?

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Haha Ramon. Favorite comment in a while. I'll look into the hospital idea as you may be onto something.

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Nova Richards's avatar

One of your stories that melts my heart the most...

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Proud of this one too. One I hope to be buried with.

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Jody Gates's avatar

Yet again, a great demonstration of your position in your craft, and in life.

I love the simple wisdom that comes from kids that age. They don't have that stupid voice that keeps them silent, "Dad's Busy, Don't both him right now" and bring their infantile narcissism to bear in the best way possible.

Thanks for sharing this.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Jody. And love the "infantile narcissism" bit as great way to put it.

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Amy Roberts's avatar

I love this. It made me think of all the times I said yes. And sadly, a few times I said no. But like you said, it’s just a reminder. Thank you.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Would be fun to one day share the things we said "no" too. May be a long post for me though and my fingers kinda hurt.

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Khalid Birdsong's avatar

A wonderful moment. It makes me appreciate the "little things" and question how I spend my days. Thanks, Michael.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

And thank you Khalid for taking the time to stop by. Stories like this are definitely reminders for me more than anyone to slow down.

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JFT Beach 🇬🇧 🏊 🧘‍♂️'s avatar

Great point - simply and elegantly made. I have similar dilemmas so often in life with work, kids, and other facets of life. Constant juggle but those moments are worth it. Thanks for writing, I just subscribed.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

I'm trying to juggle the work-kids-life things more in slow motion these days by putting aside time just to watch and observe more.

I really appreciate the support and you taking the time to stop by - Michael

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