Lost passion, hope it comes back

[deadballpaul]

For the past year or so, I've been steadily losing interest in the hobby. However, I can feel deep inside that it's still there. Sold a large chunk of my collection to move back to be near my parents. Been buying here and there, but passing up cards I normally would have bid like crazy for. The diminished passion seems to have started when my father became ill. Well, he died this morning after a long battle with colon cancer. I feel devastated, but at the same time some relief. I'm sorry to bring this up, but I feel I have some friends here. I know I haven't contributed as much as most of you, but I enjoy this site. I hope the passion comes back, & I think it will, but not sure. My father would probably be still alive & well today if he would have had a regular colonoscopy exam. Please don't shy away from this part of your health exams. Sincerely, Paul

[deadballpaul]

Posted in the wrong section. My heads not on strait right now.

[abothebear]

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's illness and death, Paul. May the Lord be with you and comfort you in your time of sorrow.

George

[terjung]

So sorry to hear of your loss. Hobbies like this are a distraction and an escape from the real world. Many times that is exactly what we need; however, it sounds like you took time away from it for something that was far more important. Good move. You wouldn't be able to replace that time. I'm sure the time you spent with him was priceless. Reflect on that time favorably and be sure now to take some time to take care of yourself and your mom. The hobby will always be there if and when you want to return to it. In the meantime, take care of yourself. Thank you for sharing your story. You have my condolences.

Brian

[leftygrove10]

Paul: I'm sorry for your loss... I loss my dad in 1991 to cancer.... It's an awful thing.... Hopefully they can find a cure for it some day....

[Bicem]

Sorry for your loss Paul, and like Brian said, cards can be a good distraction from the hardships of life.

[Myachelydra]

Best to you Paul. Sorry for your loss.

[bbcard1]

Sorry to hear about your dad. If you think of him often and miss him like crazy, that's because he was a good one and you were a lucky man to have him. I miss my dad a lot, but most of all during football season. We used to go to games together. He tolerated pro and college but dearly loved the Wayne Pioneers, our local high school team.

[joeadcock]

Paul

I am sorry for your loss.

[B O'Brien]

Sorry to hear the news of you fathers passing Paul. Very sad to hear.

Like mentioned above, the hobby is always around when you want it back. Take care of what needs to be taken care of and if the urge comes back jump in.

Take care,
Bob

[brickyardkennedy]

My condolences, Paul. Had an uncle who died from the same miserable disease. Good thoughts go out to you.

And yes, cards are a distraction and even a solace, at times.

[sox1903wschamp]

Paul,

Sorry to hear of your lose. You made the right decision (IMO) to be closer and spend more time with your folks. With time, I am hopeful your passion will come back strong. Take care.

Regards
Michael

[E93]

My condolences on your loss Paul.
JimB

[Vintagecatcher]

Paul,

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Patrick

[Danny Smith]

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Danny

[bh3443]

Paul, my best wishes to you and your family during this difficult time. You do have friends here and I'm proud to be one of them. You are in my prayers. Hang in there my friend.
Bill Hedin

[barrysloate]

Paul,
My condolences to you and your family...and I had a colonoscopy earlier this year. If you are 50 years old, it is very important to have one.

[jbsports33]

I am very sorry to hear about your loss, God Bless you and your family. The hobby will still be there in good times and bad when you are ready to come back. I always find a way to make time for it because it's good to stay focused on something to keep your mind off of things.

Jimmy

[Ladder7]

Thankfully you made good memories with him Paul. Too many of us, wish we had the chance to say goodbye. Stay tough, Steve

[e107collector]

My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Hopefully you will return to this great hobby.

Not to turn this into a medical thread, but I went for a colonosopy 4 years ago, at the age of 24. They found out I had celiac disease, not colon cancer - thank god. The procedure is a piece of cake, worst part is the Gatorade prep the day before.

Hang in there Paul,

Tony

[egbeachley]

Sorry for your loss too. Really, baseball cards should have zero priority or low passion right now. I would say step away for a few months and then re-evaluate your goals. For me it ended up in non-sports though I still hang aroung the baseball side.

[GrayGhost]

Paul. you take the time to grieve and remember the happy times w your dad. Last October. my dad was diagnosed w stage four cancer in several spots, and was gone November 16. I hadn't seen him since he got remarried in June 09, as he lived down south and I couldn't afford the visit.

The point for my ramble is , that at times like these, TRY and think of the good times and the memories you will always have. When the time is right, the hobby may come back for you, but your friends/family on here and otherwise, will always be there for you.

Remember this .."IM never gonna lose your precious gift, it will always be that way, and I know Im gonna find, my own piece of mind someday".

Your dad is at Peace and out of pain, as is my dad. May God be with you in this time and my condolences to you , your family, friends and everyone affected by this loss.

Scott Roberts.

[Tim Kindler]

Paul, Sorry to hear of your family's loss. Always treasure the great memories that you had with your father. I'm sure that if baseball and baseball cards had anything to do with some of those memories, your passion for collecting will return someday. I have a 62 Topps set that I am building in memory of my grandfather who gave me a shoebox full of 62s when I was younger before he passed away. When I get down or think of him, I always go back to that set and work on it a little more.
God Bless,
Tim Kindler

[Bilko G]

My deepest condolences to you and your family Paul.

from Bilko

[CW]

My father would probably be still alive & well today if he would have had a regular colonoscopy exam. Please don't shy away from this part of your health exams. Sincerely, Paul

The fact that you bring this up (ie. offering helpful advice to others) during your time of sorrow says a lot about your character, and obviously your Dad raised a good person. My condolences to you and your family. Maybe one day your passion for the hobby will return, as it has happened for so many.

[teetwoohsix]

Paul- I also want to say that I am sorry for your loss, please hang in there. Your passion for cards will come back when the time is right. Wishing you the best-

Sincerely, Clayton

[Jcfowler6]

Take your time with things Paul. Your family is more important. May God give you and your family peace.

[jcmtiger]

Sorry about your loss. My Dad died in 1987 of Lung Cancer. He taught me all about baseball, I left a baseball with him at thr funeral home. I was able to take him to a World Series game in Detroit in 1984, it was great.

Joe

[slidekellyslide]

Paul, so sorry for your loss..I lost my dad 20 years ago to cancer...not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I moved back home when we found out my Dad had cancer..I will never regret spending those last months with him.

[Rickyy]

Paul, I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing and offer my condolences to you and your family. I think your advice about exam is a well heeded advice for us all.

Ricky Y

[wheels56]

My condolences, Paul. I lost my Dad to lung cancer two years ago. Funny thing is, it is a key factor in my getting back into the hobby. My Dad got me into it in the late 80's. Once I hit high school, I gave it up, but he kept picking up cards here and there. He never had a lot of money, so he'd collect low grade cards from the 50s -- his heroes as a kid. At one point, he picked up a heavily creased 56 Ted Williams. I always loved the card. About 6 months before he died, he gave me that Ted Williams. I've kept it in my key/wallet/phone area every since. As soon as my 9 year old got over pokemon and started collecting, I got back in and started building a 56 set. I miss my Dad, and collecting has been a nice way to remember him and connect with my son at the same time.

[deadballpaul]

Thank you for all the kind words. My father was a great dad, friend, & I always enjoyed watching & talking baseball with him. Please enjoy every day. Thank you & love to all. Sincerely, Paul

[edhans]

My deepest sympathy to you, Paul. And thanks for the reminder on the colonoscopy. It's time to schedule mine.

[ChiefBenderForever]

God Bless you and your family.

[howard38]

.

[Zach Wheat]

Paul,

So sorry to hear about your loss. My sincere condolences to you & your family.

MWheat

[Gradedcardman]

I lost both my grandparents who raised me in 1989. My grandmother started me in this crazy hobby with her love of the Dodgers and the Browns. Part of my continuing this path is the encouragement and memories we shared looking at 1956 Topps Dodger cards. Part of a graduation present.

Stay positive and keep your faith in tact.

[Leon]

Hi Paul
My condolences on your loss too. Keep the faith my friend. If collecting can help take your mind off of it a little bit then there is nothing wrong with that. You will always have your dad as long as you have the memories. warm regards

[Cardboard Junkie]

Aloha! I am sorry for the loss of your father. I too have lost enthusiasm for the hobby. I have collected coins, stamps, rock posters,toys etc etc and cards. As I grow older they have become less important to me. I don't even follow baseball anymore...and to tell the truth I always liked the cards more than the game itself. I am a collector at heart but since the glut of the 80's and 90's.....graded cards....and hoards of ripoff artists. I quit. I am turning my collection over to my family and will now pursue something else. perhaps bottle caps or marbles or cigar bands....what ever....I despise what this hobby has become. I think you are all fine people on this board and I will enjoy lurking here on occasion. Mahalo, Dave.

[ethicsprof]

please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences.
i was very moved at the depth and care in your post.
great father and great son.

my prayers are with you and your family,

barry

[ksfarmboy]

I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of your father Paul. My mother passed away 4 years ago and it really put things into perspective. It really makes you realize how important your loved ones are in your life. I lost the passion for many of my hobbies but gained a greater passion for my family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Clint

[4815162342]

Paul, my grandfather left this world because of the same disease. May God bless and comfort you and your family.

Matthew 5:4

[jerseygary]

Paul, I'm sorry for the loss of your Dad. My Pop died almost 2 years ago and he was the one guy I talked baseball with. We would talk a few times a week on the phone and most of our conversations revolved about baseball and it's history and characters. We'd try to out-trivia one another and some of the funniest memories I have is him calling me at work, not saying hello or anything, but firing what he thought was an impossible baseball history trivia question. More often than not I'd get it right and he'd mutter a swearword and slam the phone down! Still brings a smile to my face thinking abot it... When he died, I lost all interest in the game and more importantly, its history. After about 6 months I started writing and illustrating a blog where I draw and write about the kind of players I used to talk to my Pop about. It doesn't bring the guy back, but at least in a small way I feel like I still talk to him, however one-side.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

[grundle20]

Paul, sorry to hear that. I lost my dad two years ago and I'm 31 years old. It doesn't surprise me that there may be a correlation between his illness and your disinterest, especially if your dad was the one who got you interested in baseball. You might be placing the two in the same mental category.

There are a lot more important things in life than this hobby, but it'll be there to make you feel good again if / when you return.

[uffda51]

Paul, I'm sorry for your loss. My father-in-law died of the same disease.

[mrvster]

Paul,

very sorry to hear of your loss......God Bless....
Peace

Johnny

[deadballpaul]

My father's service was yesterday. I want to thank all of you, for your kindness & support. Many of you shared the loss of your own parents & loved ones. I'm sorry for your losses, & thank you for sharing. Your kindness really did help. Sincerely, Paul

[GrayGhost]

Paul:

[Exhibitman]

Sorry for your loss, Paul. I'd urge you not to make any decisions about your life or hobbies while you are grieving. Let time give you some perspective and you may find the hobby to be a source of diversion and fun once again.

[rc4157]

Paul,

My condolences as well. The memories of your father will be with you always and if you choose to continue in the hobby, perhaps it will be in remembrance of him.

My best, RC