Last Blood

I rewatched the entire Rocky saga this week. Picked up the I-V VHS boxed set with my buddy Jawsh at while out thrift shopping. I missed them in the pile, but you have to get up pretty early in the morning to get something past him. This blog likely has more references to Rocky than philosophers. It’s a cornerstone of my cognitive framework. It goes nicely with my Rambo boxed set which I just started rewatching this morning. First Blood is scathing indictment of the United States’ treatment of Vietnam war vets. Both franchises are plagued by cartoonish depictions of violence and machismo. A criminal oversight of the stunning depiction of fragility both characters embody. And it makes me think about my Dad.

The degree to which both franchises shaped my father cannot be overstated. In turn, its impact on his parenting and my childhood  are equally indebted. In many ways, Rocky and Rambo feel like my Dad’s older brothers. In getting to know them, I better understand him. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40% of my father’s advice came to me via his shockingly good (albeit well-practiced) Rocky impersonation.

In a manner not stretching incredulity, Rocky is a father-figure. His off-hand wisdom has proven a durable pillar of my personality and character. But Rocky is solidified in time. He doesn’t have to endure a divorce from Adrian, grow, and disappoint us. He never has to bear the burden of being a disappointing human being. Instead, he hands the torch to my father and I. 

Spoiler alert, we did not make it all the way up the stairs. We did not beat the bell. We did not single-handedly end the Cold War with grit and tenacity. Much to Mickey’s chagrin, we grew up to be bums.   

Heroes and Gods offer a compelling template, but lack the day-to-day follow through. Cowardice creeps in between rounds, weakening knees and resolve. I heard your final bell. I’m going to do my best. I promise to do better. Be better. Learn more. Forgive more. Forget more. Hurt less. Trust more. And keep fighting to go the distance. For both of us.

Ding ding.