Thread by @SportsbkConsig

Story time from the book:

Been waiting to finish this one, and I am sorry to keep you waiting...

I just wanted to wait until #nationaldaughtersday to finish it...

The last line was me saying into the phone “Heyyyyy”

For those of you who know me and even the ones who don’t...

I love talking to people. In person, back and forth, listening...

I love talking on the phone just as much...always have...another by product of being Big E’s son...

That’s what he did best, and I learned from the best...Mrs Consig and I talked on the phone so much back in...

the day, and I know I have my soul mate because she likes talking on the phone with me just as much...

Man, was I happy to hear her voice!!! If it’s possible, I think she was happier to hear mine...

Relieve, happiness, assurance, etc...we laughed, we cried, we talked like...

we were in high school again...we recapped the events of the past 12 hours and filled in the blanks best we could...

But it was blessed, lucky and grateful that we kept going back to & repeating...

We could have gone on forever, but we were on GP’s cellphone so I said...

“Can I talk to the kids?”

“Of course, they are very excited to hear you...”

First up, it’s baby Consig, the coolest 6 year old in the world...

“Hi Daddy...”

I was done...we talked back and forth, but my eyes were closed just picturing her blue eyes looking at me...amazing...

Grateful...I can’t wait to see you and give you the tightest squeeze in the world...

Then, I get senior Consig, my oldest daughter...she has grown into such a strong, young woman, but she always has that special place in my heart...

We have had so many conversations...

about life, softball, family, being the oldest and everything else, but this conversation was another first...

She either calls me Daddy or jagoff anymore, and honestly, I’m good with either cause that means we are talking...

“Daddy, you ok?”

I am now, Ky...I am now...

“You know how scary that was, you jagoff?”

Uh, yeah, it was scary for me too.

We compared notes about the chain of events, the course of action that her and her sisters took and enjoying the back and forth...

Anytime she wants to talk, I want to listen...I was so blessed to...

be having this talk...

Before she passed the phone to her sister, I told her:

“Listen, there is no other way to say this...you saved my life...everything you and your sisters did...I am so proud of you...thank you, Ky”

Tears were streaming down my face, but I was trying...

to sound strong for her...we exchanged “love yous” and she said “here is Kels”

Oh man...deep breath...middle Consig...my middle daughter...she is the emotional one...heart of gold, everybody’s friend and quite the talker...

Reminds me of somebody I know, probably why...

I nicknamed her “the Mayor” years ago...

She is Cinderella because she is the one who takes the brunt of everything, takes everybody’s shit and just keeps showing up...

Between her and her big sis, they are two of the strongest, toughest kids I know, and I am so proud of them..

Here goes nothing...

“Daddy?”

Hi Kels...

“You good, bruh?”

I’m good, Kels...how are you?

“Daddy, man, bruh, that was scary! I couldn’t believe it...You couldn’t talk, Mama wasn’t home and...”

On and on she went, rambling every little detail as only Kels does...

I got in...

an occasional “yep” or “I know” but for the most part, it was her talking and me listening...I wouldn’t have it any other way...

Smiling, laughing, more tears, just hearing her recount every detail was amazing...

Even the part about the “best looking paramedic in Vegas” who...

got me out of the house...

When I was finally able to get a word in, I said:

“Kels, we are very lucky you and your sisters were home. They got me here fast and the doctors were able to do their thing. Whole thing is a miracle. You saved my life, kiddo. Thank you”...

I was crying again...I was so overcome with emotion, both happiness and gratitude.

I am thinking she was too, but neither of us said anything.

After a couple seconds, we exchanged “love yous” and she put Mrs Consig back on...

“Heyyyyy...”

Goddamn do I love her phone voice...

So, I guess I have to go now cause I’m on GP’s phone, but I’ll call you later, ok?

“But I don’t want to hang up”

Neither do I, Jess, but I have to recover.

“I wish we could come see you...”

Me too...

My voice trailed off...

“Everything happens for a reason. Someone..,

Is looking out for us.”

Damn, she got me again. More tears, choked up, and this time it wasn’t the stroke making me not talk...that lump in my throat was real...

Jess broke the silence...

“I just want to see you and hug you”

Barely able to get the words out...

I replied “Soon. Not yet, but soon.”

I could see her in my eyes. A couple seconds passed. She goes “Alright...go rest...I am so happy to hear your voice...call me later, please”

You know I will...

We exchanged “I love yous” and hung up...

Then, it all hit me...

I sat there, upright in my hospital bed in room 516, by myself, no visitors allowed because of Covid, having just had a major stroke and surgery to fix it...

Blessed, lucky and grateful...

My three girls...

No shit, I felt like the proudest dad in the world...

LFG!!!!

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