Like many, I thought that Sandy Hook was a turning point. It's one of our country's greatest shames that our government lacks the will to act on gun violence, even in the wake of dozens of 6 and 7 year olds massacred.
Joe, you are so much more than a sportswriter. You are exquisitely tuned into the human condition, and when you explore the heart you shine so very much. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks, Joe. Sadly, I think our American society has become numb to the gun violence in our country until a shooting hits our own community, our own family and then it's unimaginable. We grieve for a news cycle and go back to life as usual, seemingly in a trance.
I hope you and your family are well and I thank you for the gift of your writing. It makes my life better, whether it's about fountain pens, hats, the state of the Cardinals, or much more important things.
Chillingly brilliant in how we continue to feel with this needless violence that plagues our nation. Thank you, we all must support the Gifford and the Brady efforts.
Our son was older—21. We had spent the Christmas vacation with my parents, who lived in Oro Valley. We had left the day before.
We shopped at that Safeway all the time. Gabbie Giffords was the Congressperson who represented my parent’s district. And as long as I went Tucson to visit, and then take care of my parents, I never ran into that Safeway for cereal or yogurt without remembering what had happened there.
Ms. Giffords and her husband, Senator Mark Kelly, still live in Tucson.
Joe, you and I (and Margo) have a particular bond. We only met a couple of time before your wedding and then we didn't see each other for 25 years. Then you came to Dallas for your Why We Love Baseball tour and we met again. And then the next year when Why We Love Football brought you back to Dallas. Even before we met to plan your wedding, I was a fan of your writing in the Kansas City Star.
You love sports like I love sports. You and I grew up in the same era so REAL baseball is similar for the two of us. You loved the hapless Indians and I loved the (mostly) hapless Mets (except for that one glorious and then heartbreaking October in 1973 -- I still owe some kid $5 for betting that the Mets would take the hated A's!).
But in reading this gut-wrenching reflection today, I remember again what I really love about your writing. It is generous, moving, and full of humanity -- your humanity! Thank you for that ongoing gift that you give so many of us!
Thanks for sharing this, Joe. With all that has happened since then, the pain in the stomach has become chronic and now it almost feels normal, although we still know it isn't.
Thank you, Joe.
Thanks for this Joe.
Beautifully written Joe.
Like many, I thought that Sandy Hook was a turning point. It's one of our country's greatest shames that our government lacks the will to act on gun violence, even in the wake of dozens of 6 and 7 year olds massacred.
Joe, you are so much more than a sportswriter. You are exquisitely tuned into the human condition, and when you explore the heart you shine so very much. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks, Joe. Sadly, I think our American society has become numb to the gun violence in our country until a shooting hits our own community, our own family and then it's unimaginable. We grieve for a news cycle and go back to life as usual, seemingly in a trance.
I hope you and your family are well and I thank you for the gift of your writing. It makes my life better, whether it's about fountain pens, hats, the state of the Cardinals, or much more important things.
Chillingly brilliant in how we continue to feel with this needless violence that plagues our nation. Thank you, we all must support the Gifford and the Brady efforts.
Oh Joe…
Our son was older—21. We had spent the Christmas vacation with my parents, who lived in Oro Valley. We had left the day before.
We shopped at that Safeway all the time. Gabbie Giffords was the Congressperson who represented my parent’s district. And as long as I went Tucson to visit, and then take care of my parents, I never ran into that Safeway for cereal or yogurt without remembering what had happened there.
Ms. Giffords and her husband, Senator Mark Kelly, still live in Tucson.
As someone who works for Gabby’s org, thank you. Really appreciated this read.
Thank you Joe. Our hearts are very similarly touched and moved. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing that moment with me.
beautiful, joe. sadly, you could do this every day of the year in our gun-obsessed, increasingly violent country.
Joe, you and I (and Margo) have a particular bond. We only met a couple of time before your wedding and then we didn't see each other for 25 years. Then you came to Dallas for your Why We Love Baseball tour and we met again. And then the next year when Why We Love Football brought you back to Dallas. Even before we met to plan your wedding, I was a fan of your writing in the Kansas City Star.
You love sports like I love sports. You and I grew up in the same era so REAL baseball is similar for the two of us. You loved the hapless Indians and I loved the (mostly) hapless Mets (except for that one glorious and then heartbreaking October in 1973 -- I still owe some kid $5 for betting that the Mets would take the hated A's!).
But in reading this gut-wrenching reflection today, I remember again what I really love about your writing. It is generous, moving, and full of humanity -- your humanity! Thank you for that ongoing gift that you give so many of us!
Thanks for sharing this, Joe. With all that has happened since then, the pain in the stomach has become chronic and now it almost feels normal, although we still know it isn't.
That was a bad day.
It's been a bad century.
Fabulous piece of writing.