For the past 48 hours, I've thought quite a bit about the Penn State situation. It's horrible, distressing, and disappointing on so many levels. I don't think I can say much about it that others haven't already said.
Kim and I have tried to use the situation as an opportunity to talk to the boys about the importance of doing what's right, even when doing so is unpleasant. Tonight, Nick and I were alone for dinner and I gave it another shot.
Nick just loves Penn State. He and I have had some great times together going up there for football weekends. We have fantastic shared memories that include the car rides, hotel stays, and tailgates even more than the actual games we've seen. It's been wonderful to have those times together with him. I won't ever forget them and I hope that he won't, either.
At dinner, we talked about the disappointment and disillusionment that we both feel. We talked about how that comes nowhere near the the unimaginable pain that the boys who were abused have felt for years. We talked about the criminal justice system. We talked about the court of public opinion and our tendency to rush to judgment before all the facts are known. And, we talked about heroes and the wisdom (or foolishness) of trying to keep them on a pedestal.
The conversation was a tough one, with a great deal of emotion expressed. During the course of it, I literally felt like I was seeing Nick's youth and innocence fade away. I would have liked for him to have kept it a while longer.
This is where the magic happens.
