My Irish Mom and My Book

My Book: The Brown and White

My mother had been born in Scotland of Irish parents who had left Ireland with their families (Donegal and Dublin) to seek work in the shipbuilding area of Scotland around Glasgow (Clyde Bank). Mom's parents died and then she moved to the United States as a child to be raised by her brother. She came over just about the time of the Great Depression. I am not sure if life would have been easier in Clyde Bank or Chicago where she settled, but when WWII came about, mom's relatives in Clyde Bank had to survive the Blitz. 

Mom lived to be almost 100 years old and she was never an old lady. Life with mom was an experience. In fact my early life was such an experience that I wrote about it.  My book, The Brown and White, is my best effort to retell some of those experiences, but it was set up as a work of fiction. It was also written over several decades.  It speaks of Chicago city life in the late 1960s and living through a lot of change--but always around family, friends, and good humor. 

Mom passed away two years ago and I wanted to write this small piece to mention the The Brown and White.  

Revisiting the Challenges of Having Adult Children

Kids Are Always Seeking Help

Raising kids is sometimes routine, but other times quite difficult. We often need to put our kids needs ahead of our own--Although not all the time. Kids who have sacrificing parents can sometimes take it for granted and not learn themselves about the importance of sacrificing for others. 

I wrote a short piece a while back on how as parents it sometimes requires we put our own pressing priorities aside and listen to our kids when it is just not convenient to listen to them. We might have meetings at work that have set our schedule back and we need to get work done at home. Or we might need to run out somewhere and see someone on important business. We might have the game of the week on--and it might be a good one that we've looked forward to all week.  It might even be something like mashing the potatoes for dinner or taking a phone call from a friend, but there are times when we know our kids need our attention and they need it NOW. You can't schedule parenting and people who believe a little time can be enough if it's quality time, I'm not sure if I buy that argument. 

When our kids start their own families, it often requires more sacrifice on our parts, but in a different way. Our grown-up kids have the same responsibilities that we had as parents and time can be scarce for them. It might mean we get that "how are you, Dad" call when they are multi-tasking, say taking a walk or trying to quietly do the dishes. It's easy to feel a little slighted when this kind of thing happens. 

Some parents of adult children are very generous with their time. But I do think, just how that works can be dependant upon the parents themselves. Some parents who are grandparents have a talent for watching young kids and enjoy it. Others found it challenging to be parents of young kids and even more challenging to spend extended time with their grandchildren.  I suppose for most people, things get worked out, but at the same time we should consider the personality and qualities of the people. 

I think at some point we do our best and be as honest as we can be. If you have a 40-year old son or daughter that never learned to show any appreciation there may  be consequences. Perhaps that child wants you to watch their child or children for them frequently.  

Sometimes I wish I could call an aunt of mine or one of my grandmas and get their take on things. Back in the day, it just seemed like there was more certainty and expectations were laid out. In today's world, it just seems like some of the best people that I know have more questions than answers, but generally put it all on their shoulders. 

Some grandparents were older when they had their children. Remember the "you can have it all" movement--a promising career fulfilled that required postponing having children? If you postponed having kids and then your kids postponed having kids, you might find yourselves grandparents for the first time when you are in your 70s or older.  You might look pretty good for a retired granny or grandpa, but watching a little roadrunner can take a lot out of you. That gigantic Starbucks coffee can help for the first hour, but the fall-off in energy can be almost debilitating. Some work out a tag-team approach, when granny is ready to collapse--hand the child off to grandpa! 

I suppose in the end, one of the wisests of relatives might tell me that life is messy and you have to make the decisions for yourself.  

Most women I know just keep on keeping on, making every sacrifice for their kids and their kids' kids. The grandads seem to do a lot of driving, going to sporting events, etc., but often they don't change a lot of diapers, do the extra wash, or cook the dinners. On the other hand, there's a lot of take-out these days and plenty of activities that old pops can take the kids to keep them occupied. 

Distance of course is the wild card.  When you kids live away, you are not likely to be much help except for short periods of time and visits. Whatever you situation, it all comes out in the wash, I guess.  It does require a certain civility to make it all work. 

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I am a book publisher who publishes books on sports and faith at sportingchancepress.com

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is our fifth Sports and Faith Series book written by Patrick McCaskey. In publishing,  you have deadlines and you have deadlines. We will be publishing this book sometime in later this month or early  February. 

Sportsmanship is the most ambitious book in Patrick McCaskey’s popular Sports and Faith Series. First, readers are treated to a wonderful Chicago Bears Calendar of historical events that celebrate one piece of Bears’ history for each day of the year. Facts surrounding many Bears’ players and their achievements are found here reflecting the hundred year history of the team.

Next, individual chapters feature interesting stories, sports segments, personal reminiscences, faith experiences, and the author’s humorous musings. Reflecting the practice of classic sports journalist memoirs, McCaskey has frequently written about his favorite athletes and coaches. In Sportsmanship, the author adds a new twist to this practice by including a chapter on favorite writers who have inspired him.  Perhaps a surprise for some readers will be the author’s chapter on biblical poems based on the four Gospels.  Towards the end of the volume are McCaskey’s speeches that have been used at social and civil events, motivational presentations to churches and schools, and all types of occasions relating to his passion, the Chicago Bears.

As a Bears’ Vice President who is immersed in community outreach and personal charitable pursuits, McCaskey writes about many exceptional people that he has known along the way. Writing and speaking for many decades, the author is an athlete in his own right whose tastes in literature have influenced his career. McCaskey has always followed his grandfather George Halas’s advice to maintain a positive outlook.  At the same time, readers will recognize his own enthusiasm for respecting those around him and taking time to smile and enjoy himself in his efforts.