[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

OK, I read this with great joy, and I need to jump in. What a great topic, moreso on life and not necessarily cards. The last post made me want to reply.

I am an IT guy, divorced for many years with two daughters. They don't remember us together. I was on the track to be CIO for a multi thousand person organization. I quit at 30 to go independent. People thought I was crazy, including my then boss.

I took two summers off to be with my girls when they were young, as a single dad. I coached them in hockey and soccer for years. Taught them to golf. Spent lots of time with them, and got to also play hockey and soccer with the old guys. Still play hockey a couple of times a week, and I'm nearly 60. I never had a meeting called at noon on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Do I have a '52 Mantle? No. I have a nice collection, lots of hockey and football mostly. Some would love my collection, and others would look at it as pithy. And my daughters come by and we play cards, go to football games, golf together, ride a bike, go to card shows, and now grab a beer and wings together. I look at it as a pretty cool win for me. I'm healthy enough to walk 18 holes and carry, and break 80 a few times a year.

Am I rich? You bet... in values and life. I'm still working. My youngest just landed today in Australia at noon my time. Taking 3 months to explore the world. I never had that opportunity, and I'm damn proud that she does. Not jealous, happy for her. Someone always has more. My financially richer friends are jealous of the fact my kids have always been OK to hang with their dad, and still do.

"Happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have"

Life is good. And one day I may even have a '52 Mantle.

My my has this gotten deep haha. I hear you on that post. Nothings better than being with my son (when I have him that is). Nothing can come close to it.

He's still too young to understand or play sports or really have his own independent likes other than dinosaurs, cars, Toy Story (I used to like that movie used to). I think and have thought ever since he was born that the greatest gift in life is your child(ren).

In a way part of my collecting is filling the void when he's not with me and a BIG portion is I love it and researching the history. I do know one day that I will be able to get the cards I desire. I know that patience is a virtue. However patience is a thing this 29 year old has yet to master!

In fact the only thing I'm truly patient with is my son. My father has told me that I have a lot more patience than he had (though he had 4) but I took that as a big compliment and hadn't really even noticed or thought about it when I'm with him.

Good stuff everyone! Sound advice.