[SoldierDad]

My father was married five times to four different women (twice to my mother). He never once forgot his obligations to his children and never missed a payment of child support. He rarely visited his children from his marriage to my mother (5, three boys, two girls), mostly because my mother didn't want him around, and caused a scene when he did come for visits.

My mother painted a horrid picture of our father to her children in an attempt to sway their favor to her, and away from him. Most of what she told us was untrue. Because of this my siblings only made contact with our father when they needed financial help.

I decided that I wanted a relationship with my father, and to allow my children to have a relationship also. I put aside my father's faults, most of which had absolutely nothing to do with me, and developed that relationship. My wife, my children, and me spent as much time as we could getting to know him. While he was pained by the fact his other children wanted nothing to do with him, he greatly loved and enjoyed the time with his granchildren, my wife, and me. This would not have happened if I had never put aside what took place between him and my mother.

My father will have been gone for 5 years on 11/4/11, having died in a motorcycle accident at age 68. After his death my siblings only showed up to see what they might inherit, which was nothing. I live peacefully in the knowledge that we had a great relationship. My siblings are unable to say the same thing. To this day they remain angry at this man that they never knew.

My point is, what happens in the private lives of others and between others should not be used to judge them so harshly. Doing so only enhances the pain. There comes a time when one needs to put the past to rest. Those who are unable to do so will be the miserable ones.

[68stanger]

Besides other issues with Newt (or Rudy) I have to wonder ... if he cannot honor a vow he made to his wife in front of God and witnesses, why would I expect him to honor the pledge to “us” to uphold the constitution? I can forgive him on a personal level sure, but I don’t have to put him in position to potentially betray my trust. I see it as a very severe “character issue”.

[68stanger]

Besides other issues with Newt (or Rudy) I have to wonder ... if he cannot honor a vow he made to his wife in front of God and witnesses, why would I expect him to honor the pledge to “us” to uphold the constitution? I can forgive him on a personal level sure, but I don’t have to put him in position to potentially betray my trust. I see it as a very severe “character issue”.

[sanjuanbob]

What an uplifting story. Proud to be on the same board as you.

[Gator113]

SoldierDad,

Thank you for your story. I can personally relate to some of it, not all, but some.

It is clear to me that you were a good son, you’re a good dad and a good and fair man.