No need to feel embarrassed by expressing your personal history. It is a part of who you are.

Thanks for sharing.

Well said.  It was nice to see compassion and empathy on the page. Everybody has something they are going through. I am recently divorced from a 21 year marriage.  Being kind is easier when I remind myself everyone has something going on. No doubt bad days help you appreciate good days more. 

The board can get a little chippy sometimes but I truly believe there are more good souls than bad on here. 
 

I read the diaries!

And this one was well worth reading.

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

This is very true, however the danger comes from when you can't feel sorrow any longer.

There's very little cure for that. 

Good on you for writing this.

Divorce was devastating for me personally, and it happened abruptly without warning.  17 years flushed away in a few weeks.  I felt like life had basically ended and that happiness was never to come my way again.

I clung to my kids, while being careful not to burden them with my emotional vulnerability.  I worked very hard to overcome my bitter feelings towards their mother so that we could forge a co-parenting lifestyle that the kids could thrive in.  I went through a lot of counseling - my kids did too.

I learned to find and love myself as an individual.  It took years and alienated many friends in the process.  After knowing nothing else than my relationship with my ex since college, I became my own person.

Then something magical happened.  Years later, when I'd stopped looking for someone to fill that void in my life, the perfect someone came along and filled it proper.  No coincidence that she was divorced as well.  Growing our relationship was incredible and so rewarding, and now I'm married again to the person that my more mature self can appreciate on a level that became impossible with my first wife.  That first wife is still a large part of my life though, and we have a new found respect for each other as well, and a solid platform of co-parenting that continues to see our kids thrive.

I hope that Brian's recent experiences can lead him on a righteous journey of self discovery, and that he can also emerge better for it in the end.  It's certainly difficult to see the possibilities when it all comes down around you.

Great post

Great post, very well said.  No need to feel embarrassed about it at all.  I always appreciate it when people can truly share their human side.  

Thanks. I'm pretty partial to that last line, myself. My wife and I lay in bed and had a good cry the other night over the prospect of our daughter leaving for college. She's adopted, so in some interesting way we always knew that she wasn't 'ours.' not ours for the keeping. Still, it's killing us.

And happily, that just puts us in the same boat as billions of other people forced to let go of things and people that they love.  

Quote is perfect.  You can’t feel happiness without sorrow. Your mind and body need the comparable states. 
 

I missed Brian’s post this is responding to.   When was it ?

Thanks for sharing this WW96.

Perspective is always a good thing - and we lose it all to often.

Thanks so much for sharing this.  The quote really spoke to me on a deep level.  As many of you are no doubt, I’m dealing with some long-term challenges in my life currently, and it often feels as though my propensity for joy is being constructed.  Meaning that due to the effort to smooth out the lows, the highs can’t be as high.  This is a really powerful message and gives me a reason to smile.  Thank you so very much. 

This is very sweet. It also could have been emailed to Brian directly. I'm sure he appreciates the support though he may never respond.

How does a guy go from doing shrooms on Mt Everest with a girl from Ipanema after single handedly winning WW2--The Big One--to reading Kalil Gibran

To posting on a college football message board?

Don't be embarrased.  I appreciate the thoughts you shared.

Let's remember that the entire fanbase isn't toxic.  I think it's a very small percentage of fans...very engaged and vocal and passionate fans...but a small percentage nonetheless.  

Nicely done WW96.

It kinda reminds me of this video posted on MGO during the Rich Rod era.

https://youtu.be/gZl35RAxerQ

Song is "A Better Son/Daughter" by Rilo Kiley

So I forgive me if I don't respond to comments.

I was going to make a joke about how at least you could forgive yourself for not responding to comments, but I think there is unintentional wisdom here. It's hard to look upon your life while in the pits of despair and think of what you might have done, could have done differently, or should not have done. And then beat yourself over it, over and over again. 

One of the keys to healing is to learn to forgive yourself. None of us is perfect so we make mistakes. Hopefully, Brian (and whomever else on this blog is going through a difficult time) gets the time, space, and support in whatever form it takes to move forward and find forgiveness - for yourself and for the other(s) in your lives. 

It was difficult to read Brian's message yesterday.  This is someone who built a blog that I've spent way more time than I'd like to admit over 15 years, opening his hurt to the world.  

I've changed a lot over this time period.  When we lost to App State, I didn't leave my Michigan dorm room bed until Monday morning class.  Now, I'm numb.  Last year I learned that if I don't watch the games, they don't sting as much.  It's the anthesis of who I was 15 years ago.  It is unfortunate that Brian can't disconnect in the same way, given his roles and responsibilities over this blog.

But, I've realized that:

• You can't let 18 - 22 year old kids impact your well being.  Having my son made me realize how much my mood swings during games.
• There are over 100 teams trying to be the best at the sport.  It's okay if Michigan isn't the best.
• Many of those teams are great at the sport but suck at, you know, being a public university.  For example, compare this list to this one. 
• As Brady Hoke once said, This is Michigan, fergodsakes!  The place where many of us grew from child to man/woman.  The place that gave many of us such a significant footing to launch our careers.  The place that many of us met our spouse.

The morning of my first classes at Michigan, as I walked out of West Quad towards state street, will be etched into my memory forever.  And it is way more powerful than any dumb fumble, ill-advised throw, or porous line will ever be.

Get up, Brian.  We are all rooting for you.

"Without a hurt, the heart is hollow."

C. S. Lewis "Constantly looking at reality is unbearable."

I first heard Brian on WTKA breaking plays down so elegantly and articulately that I started reading the blog.

The few diary posts I have written have been a great outlet for me.

This blog is the primary break from constantly looking at reality - but it is only about games.

Yet significant because that break is necessary for mental health.

Thanks Brian, Seth, Alex, et al.

Well said!

Great letter !  So sorry to just learn about what Brian is going through.   Of course we wish him the best on his journey, and your letter is inspiring.    Thanks for the letter.   God speed and best wishes to Brian.