a day ago
- The author recalls a memory of playing catch with his father as a teenager, which ended abruptly when a curveball hit his father in the groin.
- The father is described as a stoic, introverted geek with few friends, who lived a life marked by rationality, cynicism, and a focus on fulfilling obligations.
- He worked on the same codebase for 40 years, prioritized family commitments like attending kids' activities, and valued autonomy and honesty, often disappointed by others' failures.
- After losing his vision due to glaucoma and CRT exposure before retirement, he became dependent, which conflicted with his self-sufficient ideals, and he later died after surgery complications.
- The author reflects on rare emotional moments from his father, such as anger over a soccer game or pride during milestones, and expresses gratitude for his constant presence.