Cooper’s Son

Back during the Super Bowl I made note of the special relationship between channel 12 sportscaster Bruce Cooper and his NFL son Marquis as they messed around in Tampa Bay.  “The father and son have a great bond,” I thought.  Now, we all wait to see if “Coop’s” boy has been taken from him—swallowed up by an ocean that has never played favorites.  If the Oakland raiders’ player and two other friends drowned, after hanging on since Saturday night http://www.abc15.com/content/sports/stories/story/1-of-4-missing-men-found-clinging-to-boat-off/gThGGBSHKkGahljlCyD02A.cspx) , there is little doubt the grief and tears will create a mini tsunami of their own, and that is perfectly normal.  The question I asked myself, “Have I done all that I can for my kids and do they know it?”  I’m hoping a lot of you dads and moms will do the same thing.  We get so darned busy with our jobs, struggles for bigger and better and general tasks of the day that our most cherished possessions, our families, often go wanting.  I’m sure Coop has walked past a picture of Marquis, perhaps picked up one of his high school trophies from not-that-many years ago and reminisced.  He is basking in the memories of a strong tie to his son.  And though this story may very well have a sad ending—yours is still being written.  Dad—mom—the pen is in your hand so write your script wisely. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.