There is Hope for America.

[aviator]

The heart surgeon explained to me that it's normal to have personality changes after an open heart surgery and many people just become emotional.

Last night I became emotional. My granddaughter attends a charter school that does classical teaching, True North. The owner is the son of a Romanian immigrant who was able to escape Hitler, he is also a friend of the governor and my wife deals with him all the time as he also sits on the college board of trustees. Yesterday they had an early "Patriotic Show" to celebrate America's 250th birthday. We did not attend (only parents were invited) but I was able to play a live streaming on my TV. The very last part, the Grand Finale was all of the kids in chorus singing a beautiful rendition of God Bless America, at the end the owner popped in and said "Mrs XXX" I think we should do this again and have the parents join us in the singing. Well, everybody stood up and they all sang God Bless America but at the end, kids, teachers and parents all started chanting USA,USA,USA. The screen got blurry.

https://www.ocpc.org/truenorth

advance to 1:12

[rto]

That was impressive. The event was well organized and the participants seemed to know every step of their role and took it seriously.

[aviator]

It is one of the best charter schools in town, unfortunately they drain the school system of funds and take students away so they are in direct competition with my son who is an assistant superintendent for the school system. but it is what it is and the guy is very well connected politically....for now. My granddaughter loves it there, everybody is at her level. She's a very smart kid.

[Pogo]

I think as you get older you appreciate things that you overlooked when you were younger.

[aviator]

I think as you get older you appreciate things that you overlooked when you were younger.

Yes sir. There are a lot of things I appreciate a lot more now. Very good point.

[GBob01]

I think as you get older you appreciate things that you overlooked when you were younger.

Absolutely true.
I don't regret much, but I do regret not slowing down and just enjoying the small things with my kids and wife more.

[Johnny]

In the 6 or so years since I retired, my personality has remained the same, but my interests have changed. Things I used to love doing, no longer interest me and things I had zero interest in are now on the top of my list. Examples:

Old Hobbies and Interests:
Rock band drummer
Local politics
Competitive swimming

New Hobbies and Interests:
Rough carpentry
Camping, canoeing, backpacking
Deer hunting

[aviator]

Open heart surgery messes your mind and body, being hooked up to a heart-lung machine for several hours and the physical trauma changes you, according to medical reports. you basically do not have a beating heart for a while, then they jump start it again. Some scary shit. I was advised ahead of surgery personality changes were normal. But I'm still a pain in the ass for many people.