#linkingray

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He was taking his child to a sporting event. Just like any other time before. I can only imagine what went through his mind Was it sudden? Was there not time to think? Or did he rewind every moment with his little girl. Did he feel every moment. Did he dread that she was there with him. Was he glad he was there with her. Was he able to hold her. Hold her hand. Anything. Some people have dream jobs, careers, passions. It is their driving force. Others are parents through and through. I think he was. I think he was a father before anything. I think in that moment he lived every second with his little girl. Past present and future. In that moment time stopped. It was everything. Every happy thought and the deepest despair all at once. I can only imagine... RIP #kobebryant #rip #father #family #love #LinkinGray https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zw7fcAXK3/?igshid=1aq4u4wsfydiy

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Late post. Long one. Three #Thanksgiving dinners this year and they were all fantastic. #Linkingray finally met @alixsparrow 's family at our opening Thanksgiving. Glad to introduce him and watch him interact with Olivia who typically is the only child at gatherings. The food couldn't be better and the turkey was some of the best cooked turkey I've had. We traded stories and capped the festivities off with a traditional toast of Tullamore Dew. Next was my extended family's Thanksgiving which in contrast was packed with the kiddos. Traditional Filipino food was on the menu and I was having it all. My little niece's came up with the idea of having everyone write words of gratitude and appreciation for random family members and we would have to guess who wrote it. A great sentiment. Our final Thanksgiving was with my immediate family and featured surf and turf. It was fantastic. Broken utensils, shells and juice flying. But in an elegant way. Lol. The lobster was delicious and #Linkingray even shared a great speech valuing experiences, memories, and family over any material gifts. To close out the weekend we put up our "emergency tree" which over the years has come to mean more and more. We decorate it together every year and it was great to get it started while Ali was still in town. Linkin and I will be adding ornaments periodically and facetiming through the season until Ali returns for #Christmas break and we can finish the tree then. I observed alot of great moments. Little moments. But moments that make all the difference and I am glad the little guy values them as much as I do. In fact his Christmas list is required to have a gift of memories he can choose. In the past he's asked to hike and see frozen waterfalls or learn to ride his bike without training wheels. This year he asked for #spartankid races, a Disney trip, and another Philippines trip. 2 out of 3 are booked . We got you. . . . . . . #tbb #coach #family #gifts #holiday #food #tradition #TeamDimaya #happy #grateful #ocr #active #life #health #Gratitude #appreciation #motivation #life https://www.instagram.com/p/B55P-poAgb0/?igshid=1moxjk4fqvac4

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I watched #Linkingray struggle up this rope until his arms gave out. He would make it halfway. And drop. Then 3/4 of the way and drop. He didn't make it to the top and we had to go. He said "Dad I can do this!! Can I try tomorrow?!" The next day he attempted again and made it up multiple times...and with ease. The attempt allowed him to understand what it would take. The failure lit the fire that eventually got him to the top. And I'm going to make sure he understands that. Proud of you kid. #mindset #mysunshinemoment (at Virginia Beach, Virginia)

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In 2020 #LinkinGray watched one of his favorite streamers ( @coryxkenshin ) play through #Thelastofus and then played through Last of Us 2. It easily became one of his favorite games. I watched him in awe of the narrative and wrestle with his emotions the same way I did. We had alot of great discussions about science, relationships, family, society and the world at large stemming from this franchise. And now we are sitting here watching the premier of the show and it is absolutely fantastic. Casting is perfect. Time to download that PS5 remaster so we can both relive that first game. . . . . . . . #tbb #coach #gamer #gaming #LastofUs #HBO #playstation #PS5 #naughtydog #Family #dadlife #emotion #storytelling #likeadad #fungus #scifi #science #fireflies #games #nature #hiking https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnf_TRALmq5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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1 - 8 - 23 Happy Birthday #LinkinGray Very proud of the young man you have become and appreciate the little tells that let me know you're doing alright. I'm paying attention. When you correct yourself when you say "hate" and shift to "strongly dislike" When you get frustrated in a game and blow off steam by doing pullups When you log in and check your own grades to make sure they're in line When you modestly select less inexpensive options when offered things When you give voice to your emotions When you exhibit your competitiveness with yourself When you constantly express your gratitude verbally and through frequent embraces When you recognize stress in others and adjust your behavior in order to help dissipate negativity When you lead with "can I have help" rather than "I can't" Keep on being you kid. I know that means continued growth and striving to give. Your strength comes from your kindness to others and moreso kindness to yourself. Love you Stay healthy, stay nerdy . . . . . . #tbb #coach #birthday #happy #gamer #fitness #health #active #americaneagle #gaming #growth #peace #hiking #samoyed #pets #dogs #birthday #goals #travel #italy #mindset #dadlife #proudparent https://www.instagram.com/p/CnL7IrDuB4E/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Late post. #LinkinGray is now a 6th grader. But more importantly he is a kind heart and a curious soul. His self expression is becoming more refined and his thoughts more mature. Yet he still quite enjoys "playing with my imagination". A phrase he's used since he could speak. The Walter Mitty in me does the same. I cherish all of our memories together and look forward to those ahead but more than that I love seeing him grow in the moment. I'm proud of who he is right here and right now. Being in that present staves off the feeling that time flies by. I actually don't feel like it has. It has been the best journey to be his father and one I imagined even when I was his age. I'm that dude that always wanted to be a dad. Cannot wait to see the paths the universe lays ahead and the ones you ultimately choose for yourself. Your self esteem and empathy will be among your greatest guides.. See you at the top. Oh and stay healthy, stay nerdy kid Love you . . . . . . . . #tbb #coach #school #education #goals #motivation #likeadad #dadlife #parent #nationalsonday #positivevibes #gamer #nerd #waltermitty #healthy #selfesteem #smile #teamdimaya #dailysunshine #samoyed #portrait #imagination #growth https://www.instagram.com/p/CjFCTyHsK5a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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L'Italia It's not just another stamp in his passport. These trips bring with them a wealth of memories, experience, and opportunity for growth. The world around us has a hand in shaping who we become and the more we are exposed to the wider world the more grounded we become. Our relationships are our tethers and those bonds grow through shared adventure. Whether we are traveling, hiking, or simply running through virtual gaming worlds, I love watching #linkingray navigate life and I will always have a hand in guiding him. It is my greatest honor. Some folks chase the bag. Some seek title or influence. "Dad" is my calling and I'm incredibly grateful that Linkin holds the title of my son. Love ya kiddo Looking forward to all the mountains we'll climb... figuratively and oh yes very literally as well... Andiamo . . . . . . . . #travel #family #dadlife #expore #Italy #health #fitness #gaming #ocr #growth #goals #gratitude #teamdimaya #rome #elnido #birkenstock #ffxiv #nerd #dailysunshine #shakeology #wander #happy #worldtraveler #gamer https://www.instagram.com/p/CemqjMtMlzA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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#LinkinGray Appreciation Post Starting off 22 strong. Birthday hike by request from Linkin as usual. This time with his fur bro Nyx. I asked him if he wanted to go easy or more challenging...ended up going down some cliffs to a frozen waterfall where Linkin slipped and got his shoe in the water lol. He thought he'd get in trouble but this is the hiking life my friend. Removed his wet sock and dried his foot then gave him my sock to finish off the hike. Good job kiddo especially since I def put it on him on the last leg and pressed harder to finish and tire both these boys out. It worked. Received word from his teacher that he is also killing it in school. Straight A's is one thing but he apparently gets along with everyone in class and works well in group settings. He also got bumped up to one of the lead roles in his school production of High School Musical. Guess he's officially a Chad lol And in the gaming front he's very deep into Halo and FFXIV now. He's played #FFXIV for years on and off but just doing quests in ARR etc. He recently unlocked those extremes and like a weirdo queued for Titan EX himself after watching a video and cleared a few times lol. Synced?! Who even does this. And then last night as I was playing he came down and asked how I queue us for undersized parties. 1.5 hours later he comes down and tells me he got Nightmare. Apparently put up a party in party finder and ran Garuda with someone 80 times or so LOL. That person is a legend. Thanks for sticking around with a sprout kiddo learning the ropes. Anyway, I could not be more pleased that this kid is a kind friendly soul who is not averse to challenge and enjoys pushing his body and imagination. Love ya kid. See you in Endwalker. Azem. . . . . . . . #tbb #coach #dadlife #proudparent #family #teamdimaya #samoyed #active #hiking #snowday #finalfantasy #endwalker #highschoolmusical #ocr #goals #likeadad #halo #gamer #gaming #health #kindness #dogsofinstagram #brothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CZj2vNVLrO-/?utm_medium=tumblr