137 Comments
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Doyle H Bransom's avatar

This is your best column ever John. I lost my son to colon cancer on September 20th 2023, and this article really meant a lot to me as I miss him greatly. He also had a list and completed most of them before he died. Appreciate your article.

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Michael Bishop's avatar

Pulitzer Prize stuff

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Matt L.'s avatar

Doyle, condolences for the loss of your son. That hurts so much. It is a heavy burden to carry when our kids pass before parent. Glad to hear your son was able to soak in some special experiences before his departure.

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Kent Crawford's avatar

Thanks for sharing and sorry for your loss Doyle.

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Brian M's avatar

Very tough to lose a child, no matter their age. I would have a hard time handling that. Stay strong, Doyle

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scforthewin's avatar

Dam# it, who is chopping onions in here?

Great piece, John. What a story.

Loved all of it and OF COURSE the good Doctor was a Trojan.

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Mark Williams's avatar

The "REAL" stories that matter. Well done John.

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Kevin Gillette's avatar

Again, you got me! And again, thank you! One of the 3 things you should do every day is have your emotions bring you to tears. It seems like I can count on you to do that at least once a month. ❤️🥲

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Bluedawgpromotions's avatar

Dawg gone it! Nobody writes like you John! Nobody does it better! I’m grateful for what you do and the way you do it!

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Jim O's avatar

I’m having a difficult time typing because of the tears streaming out of my eyes. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.

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Drex Heikes's avatar

Wow. Just wow. Aside from the brilliant writing.... How many sportswriters would have taken the time to engage with him? I'm gobsmacked.

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Jack Cluth's avatar

Thanks for that, John. I think we all need to be reminded of our mortality from time to time. For me, it was losing my mother-in-law to dementia on Thanksgiving night. In truth, she'd left us some time ago, but when death came and her suffering ended, we could remember her for the person she'd been and what she'd given to all of us.

I imagine Dan Dickau learned a thing or two from the good doctor.

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David Gulickson's avatar

Perfect

Absolutely perfect

I’ve said this before, but here I go again.   As I grow older, I am becoming more aware that moments need to be cherished, conflicts need to be set aside, and joys need to be sustained

To all my BFT friends:

Start checking things of your bucket list NOW

Maintain an eternal focus

Remember that who you are and what you do has a greater impact on people than you could ever imagine

Acknowledge the good - overcome the challenges

ThanxJohn

GO DAWGS

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Gary Cavalli's avatar

Beautiful piece, John. A perfect message for the holidays. Thank you.

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Sheila M's avatar

Beautiful story. One of my favorites from you, John.

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Mike Randall's avatar

As I am reading all the previous comments, I have no more words that the previous commenters haven’t already said. Except to say you are a gift to the human race. You are blessed with the ability to touch others in a very uplifting way. Thank you!

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Susan Clardy's avatar

John, Thanks for this beautiful, inspirational story! You've done it again;...so relatable!

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AJ Gatto's avatar

What a very touching and beautiful story. Thank you John!

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Edward Schwallie's avatar

John, your story made me think of my dad who loved any bball player who went to a Jesuit college like himself. His 1st favs were from SFU (Bill Russell & K.C. Jones) and eventually the Zag greats like Stockton and Dickau. Even though he was from Cleveland going to a Celtics game was a bucket list we as kids helped make happen for him before he passed. Thanks so much for sharing.

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jon joseph's avatar

I was blessed to watch Bill and KC play ball in the old grubby Garden with Johnny Most high above courtside.

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Ed S.'s avatar

You are lucky, Jon. I didn’t get there until 1973 to watch the Celtics beat the Knicks in triple OT. Just after Bill’s era. Unforgettable!

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Greg Hatton's avatar

You are a good person, John Canzano!

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Maverick's avatar

The best kind of person.

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