Mike Flynt = Father Drama

Recently, there's been a bit of a to-do around our little University due to a man named Mike Flynt. He's 59 and played here at Sul Ross 37 years ago. Long story short, he's playing his last bit of eligibility out this season.

LOADS of publicity for Sul Ross and I've been able to take quite a few photos of the team with this unusual member...but for me, the story is just starting.

My mother and biological father attended college here in Alpine decades ago. This was during the time they married. Thirty-seven years ago, Mike played on the Sul Ross football team with my biological father, Rick. I've met a few people who played with Rick and it's been a struggle not to share my entire, sordid, traumatic life history with them.

The first time mom and I drove around Alpine together a few months ago, she pointed out the house where Rick first beat her. Talk about a conversation stopper.

Mom is 5'1' and 98 pounds. I don't think any man has a right to abuse any woman, but I think it takes a real beast to beat a small, defenseless woman. If someone hit me, I could probably fight back. Mom is tiny. He usually pounded his fists into her because...well, shit...lots of reasons. He is an alcoholic, he thought mom was cheating if she went to the grocery store, he monitored every penny she spent at the store - I have recipes from mom that have breakdowns of the prices of each item involved - i.e. 39 cents - celery, 1.15 - block cheese, etc. This was a controlling man and a woman who didn't want to have a divorce.

They divorced when I was one. He brought her divorce papers to my 1st birthday. He had already moved on...

Rick left Mom for her best friend. Turns out he was the one who was cheating. He had a daughter with woman #2 - he also hit her square in the face one day and knocked out all her front teeth. Classy. Just can't understand why I wouldn't want to have a relationship with him, eh? He's now on wife #3.

I had known since high school that Rick beat Mom during their 9-year-marriage. It was something Mom shared openly with classes as a teacher because it helped students understand that abuse isn't always something that happens to "someone else." it can happen to anyone - including a beautiful, educated young woman from Andrews, Texas.

I was a student in those classes - mom taught me 3 classes for 4 years and was my drama, speech and debate coach. We had very few secrets from the class & I didn't mind. It's part of my story, too. It only hurts when I think of what Mom had to endure.

For years, I was a kid who went to visit Rick and my step-mother, Debbie, during the summer and for Christmas. Rick tried. But most of the time, he sent me with my step-mother and we didn't have much in common. When I was 22, I refused to go on any more fake visits to a man who wasn't functioning as my father but wanted the accolades of being a great father. There were tons of broken promises from him as I was growing up.

I was fortunate enough to have a man who picked up the slack and fixed the broken heart Rick left behind. That man is Butch - the man we named our son, Stroman, for...the man who is my father-figure. I have his morals, his humor and I even get told that I have Butch's eyes.

So, Mike asked me about my parents the other day and I had to admit that I hadn't spoken to Rick in about 10 years. And Mike doesn't know about Rick's physical abuse issues, his infidelity, his separation from us kids (my brother stopped speaking to Rick about 4 years ago). Meanwhile, Rick doesn't know that a) I'm married to Drew, b) we have 2 children, who are his biological grandchildren, c) we live in alpine...and tons of other things. but there was always a way he could find me. He didn't. I'm not upset about that, but I'm curious how a person could knowingly have a child out in the world and not wonder how they are...

So now, the former players on Mike's team are trying to all get back together. And Mike has been in contact with Rick by email. This weekend is the last game of the season. Home game. Rick could be in the stands. I don't even know that I would recognize him...or that he would know what his own daughter looks like.

that's it. just wanted to share. next post...i promise some humor.

thanks for keeping us in your thoughts on Saturday.

top photo is Mike Flynt playing for Sul Ross in 2007. Bottom photos are Butch Stroman holding Stroman Drewry Bridges...first is the first few days after Stroman was born. Last photo is from May 2007 of Stroman and Mr. Stroman...two v. important men in my life.

we're bbbbaaaaaaaccccccckkkkkk!

and if we happen to be cooler than ever - there's a definite reason. last week, Stroman and I were hit by a nasty sinus infection. things were snotted from my nasal passages that made my football coach husband cringe...and he doesn't even mind the rank locker room smell that lurks in the Lobos field house.

now that all that junk is out of my system, i feel like a new woman. and this new woman must get back on that schedule i was mentioning in my last post. it's not that hard to stick to - one thing a day. and totally rewarded by the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. of course, i'm almost convinced that Drew is slipping me some straterra with my a.m. coffee to help keep me on task.

should note that i worked in "Maintenance Monday" where I can do a little bit of everything - so that helps my ADHD and Type A personality work together. it's nice when the voices aren't bitching at each other.

so, with my scheduled weeks and the intro of DVR to our household, my life is easy, breezy beautiful.

tomorrow. photos. of my new, short hair. which might be interesting for some of you who don't have a smidge of a hint what i look like.

tonight. a new photo of Stroman. Eight months & loving it. Take a look at the monkey toes on this one.

and, if anyone can help me make my playlist work on my blog, comment up.

Crazy Madness put to a test!

I have so much to share we might have to break out the flowcharts or bulleted lists or something to keep on task.

and that's been a problem lately - staying on track.

my husband has enforced a strict new policy to keep me on task. one goal per day. i love it and it sucks. mainly because i have a hard time sticking something long enough to actually complet

ramblings

watching the season premier of House - i realize that most of you don't have the pleasure of dealing with me on a daily basis.

however, my approach to life is eerily similar to the way House treats his students, patients...well, everyone he comes in contact with. people lie. the weird stuff is interesting. i could see the long-term advantages of using vicadin on an hourly basis. and finding the unusual way to get things done...like last week when we were out of coffee filters and i substituted a paper towel. strange look from husband yet tasty early a.m. coffee. doc, i'm ready to take on a case.

i left town friday & spent the weekend with my parents. dropped off the kids and ventured to brownwood, texas, this past saturday to cheer on the Sul Ross Lobos.

They beat Howard Payne 34-31 in double overtime. good game. quite dramatic. several photogs from big name news corps - like espn & sports illustrated -- all to get photos of the 59-year-old player. i'm not including my photos of Mike Flynt. i'm framing them and selling them on ebay. just kidding. here are a few photos from my exploits...

also, must share that my friend Ashley called this week. Ash comes from a big family near Dallas, but currently lives in Lubbock. she has been my boss, friend and roomie throughout the years. and her mother is constantly warning Ash and her equally pale sisters to stay out of the sun. the key quote "We freckle."

i told you that so that i could tell you this: Ashley's daughter Merrillee had been reported as the owner of three teeth. being a week older than Stroman i was intrigued. because Merrillee got these teeth at 4 months and Stroman only has one, sorta tooth at 7 months. but Ash discovered as time passed that one tooth had been confused as two...because of a large "v" that was making one look like two teeth.

nay.

ash is determined that it must be from her husband's side of the family.

i mentioned, as any friend would, that ash is white as a day lily - perhaps she is actually a vampire. perhaps "We freckle." is actually code for "We are vampires."

and now - a photo of ashley...with me...from her first baby shower a few years ago - for the kid that isn't showing obvious signs of vampire-ism-ish-ness. ashley is the pregnant chick on the left (notice the translucent skin). the other one, me.

also - i managed to get my new website up and running. it's got music and modern pics, etc. i love it. hope you will too!