Mark Stackpole
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Moved my son into his college dorm room on the other side of the country. He was ready; I was not. (“Don’t cry in front of the other dads…don’t cry in front of the other dads…”)
03:39 PM - Aug 16, 2023 (Edited)
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Mark Stackpole
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Celebrating our 25th anniversary by renewing our vows (with our teen kids) on Maui. Unbelievable trip, though personally encapsulated by the fact that I have tried both caviar and SPAM for the first time within 24 hours of each other. Not bad for a kid from the projects…
04:54 AM - Jul 21, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Tough summer ball season for my son, but I know it frustrates me more than it does him. I fume in the stands like a child, and he trots off after another loss and says things like, “Dad, it’s easy to make friends in the dugout.” How dare he treat it like a game and have fun…
06:44 PM - Jul 02, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Mom passed away many years ago, and she said that her heaven would be drinking a margarita on the beach, toes in the sand, breeze through her hair. Every year on her birthday (today would have been 88), I raise a blended margarita w/salt in her honor. We know where to meet you when it’s time, Mom.
02:01 AM - Jun 29, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Just described my teenaged son as “persnickety,” and now I’m craving some Werther’s Originals.
05:21 PM - Jun 22, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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It’s truly incredible and humbling to have kids who “get” you. Father’s Days keep getting better and better…❤️
01:30 AM - Jun 19, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Watching my boys progress in their sporting careers, I sometimes wonder why I didn’t pursue my own a little bit more…aside from my rather limited skills. For me, that answer ended up being pretty straightforward: I hated to lose more than I loved to win.
12:14 PM - Jun 02, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Some days, man…
12:28 PM - Jun 01, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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As my second child prepares to graduate from HS and move across the country for college, I am reminded of something my late mother once told me about raising us: “I love you and am so proud of you all, but sometimes, I just miss my babies.”

I’m really feeling that these days, Mom.
12:17 PM - May 20, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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The people who talk too much also talk too loud…
03:45 PM - May 17, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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My rule for my tattoos: must represent love or mortality. Silver Surfer under the shadow of Galactus honors my brother and hero who bought me my first comic. The last gift my mom ever got for me was a t-shirt with a “silver man” on it; she did not know comics, but she knew that I would like it. ❤️
06:22 AM - May 12, 2023 (Edited)
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Mark Stackpole
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When your son — largely ignored by coaches for the last two years — throws the first no-hitter in school history on Senior Night.
03:08 PM - May 08, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Prom night? Still have time for a day game…
11:25 AM - Apr 17, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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My son was trying on shoes to go with his prom tuxedo. No uncomfortable, generic rental shoes for him. When he chose one of my funkier pair (we wear the same size), I told him that he was lucky to have me for a dad. His response: “I tell myself that every day.” And then…I cried.
02:40 AM - Apr 13, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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I have worked hard not to hate myself. It’s taken 4+ decades. I no longer hate myself…and I have no idea what to do now.
04:05 AM - Apr 07, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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How does a 17-year old high school kid know “Big Iron” by Marty Robbins? Anyway, getting to do a road-trip duet with my boy to a song my dad and I used to sing to (decades ago on 8-track). The moment was a little surreal, but very cool…
06:07 PM - Apr 03, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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I’m trying to remember the last time I winked at anyone for any reason. I can’t, and for some reason, that makes me a little sad.::
07:12 AM - Apr 02, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Sarcasm is the coin of the Stackpole realm. These are actually sincere responses in our family group chat. I do not deserve them. But I am humbled and grateful. Thank you, boys.
08:55 PM - Mar 26, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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If you had told 10-year old me (or 15-year old me, or 20-year old me) what wondrous things this life would hold…I would have been amazed, grateful, and would not have believed you for a second. I am lucky beyond measure. And I promise to show my appreciation more…
08:46 PM - Mar 26, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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So, I strung a few words together, found a fantastic artist, and self-published. Proud to see it in print!
02:15 PM - Mar 24, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Wait…what?
03:56 AM - Mar 24, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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What has been interesting is that the LOSS of negativity in my life has left a void that I am currently re-examining… My lenses have shifted, and it is more complicated than it seems to have just left previous perspectives in the past. I am energized about the future, but the past lingers…
11:23 PM - Mar 22, 2023
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Clumsy Ninja
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Morning message: you're enough.
11:13 AM - Mar 14, 2023 (Edited)
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Mark Stackpole
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As my TMS treatments come to an end, I am amazed at the difference it has made in my life. Waking up not wondering how I was going to make it through the day (IF I was going to make it through the day) has been truly incredible. Still, it will find some time to adjust to these new “lenses.”
04:28 PM - Mar 21, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Sometimes, I want to take on a new and interesting challenge. Maybe learning to play a musical instrument. Or cooking or art. Heck, maybe even taking more classes in a fascinating subject.

But I think I might be too tired to learn anything new. Insecure about failure, even after all these years…
05:20 PM - Mar 03, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Wait…I can be a Ghostbuster AND an action figure? We truly live in amazing times…
08:07 PM - Feb 22, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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31 years ago today, my wife and I went on our first date. 4 years later, we got engaged. I still wanted to celebrate 2/15 as “the day it all began.” So, I made her the ultimate early-90s display of affection: a mixed tape. Today, I sent her the annual playlist…for the 26th year in a row.
02:51 PM - Feb 15, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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A long time ago, I left a valentine for a girl that I really liked, though we had bonded a bit over our mutual dislike of Valentine’s Day. But as the result of that Batman valentine, we had our first date the next day. We still celebrate that anniversary…

31 years & counting.
04:26 PM - Feb 14, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Shamed by my daughter for watching so many cooking shows without ever actually trying to make anything myself, I bought the ingredients to make my own spaghetti sauce. Why not? Doesn’t have to be any good, right?

On a related note, there are way more ingredients than I would have guessed…
12:04 PM - Feb 13, 2023
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Mark Stackpole
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Don’t get the chance to stand in front of a group of students very much anymore, but I had an opportunity today. Can’t speak for them, but I had a great time!
06:45 PM - Feb 09, 2023
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