This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years, and now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint.
It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250.
America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. I turned off news altogether.
I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting.
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It's time for our final thoughts segment. A eulogy, a poem. parting thought about a dying loved one. And this story comes From Willie Lynch of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a scientist and university administrator, he wrote this piece for his wife's best friend that had lost her husband to cancer. And the name of the piece: How My Father's Cancer Diagnosis Saved.
Our rocky relationship. Nothing stays the same for long. Things in people change. often for the worse it seems. But once in a while Very much for the better.
I grew up on a small farm, living a life that I took for granted. Yeah, actually. I had a dog without a leash. mountains in whatever direction I looked. And awoke to the call of pheasants in the alfalfa fields.
My father also worked in the city as a welder. He was quiet. Distant, you might say. He was not highly educated, but smart. with an engineer's way of looking at problems.
He was a man made of leather, brass, and chewing tobacco. who tried to teach my brother and me useful things, including respect. He had a temper. I did not like him very much. One day I came home from school, and his car was already there.
Once inside, I was told by my mother that he didn't feel well. His back hurt. My father never missed work. In fact, when he came home, he went to the barn to work even more. I remember peeking around the corner at him as he lay on his bed in the middle of the day.
I was in elementary school. Multiple myeloma. It is a type of blood cancer. It starts in the cells that normally make antibodies, for the body to use in its immune response against infections. When those cells become malignant, They make antibodies like crazy.
As the cancer grows. The person who has it shrinks. The disease saps the body's energy, and the antibodies cause problems for other cells and tissues. Bones eventually look like Swiss cheese, and when they break, They never heal. For the last year of his life, my father's entire day consisted of rising from his hospital bed in the living room.
and slowly walking to his chair, To sit. And think. He was predictably in that chair when I came home one day during the ninth grade. I do not remember where my mother and brother were. But the two of us were alone.
He asked me to sit down. What followed? Still moves me. these decades later. He told me about his life.
His family growing up. What it was like in the Pacific during World War II. His loves His heart breaks. It was like a pipe had burst. His inner self rushing out to me in a great flood.
He had been speaking for maybe an hour or more. when I realized that he was doing more than telling. He was asking to be forgiven. All I took was that understanding within me, and I forgave everything. immediately.
When he died. I didn't return to school for a few days. My biggest dread coming back was gym class. It was poorly supervised, and bullies ran the show. Yeah.
True to four. On my first day I was standing there in my shorts when an all too familiar voice bellowed Blanche. It was a guy who had given many of us a few lumps over the years. I turned to face him and said What do you want? The other boys didn't say a word as they waited for the beatdown.
Yeah. I heard your dad died, he said. Is that true? I quietly replied. Yes.
Yeah. He didn't punch me. He didn't even move. Instead, he said I'm sorry. Yeah.
I was shocked. I'm sure I cried. Yeah. Those two words are how I have remembered that kid ever since. What do you do?
when your enemies reveal that they are also human. I think you either forgive and move forward. or hold on to resentment and live in the past. Uh I'm certainly not glad that my father got sick. But at the same time, I realized that if he hadn't, I might never have come to love him.
It's the darkest thing. It is the darndest thing, and thank you, Willie. For those words. sharing. Willie Lynch's story.
In a way his dad's story and that bully's story. Here are our American stories. Uh This is Lee Habib, host of Our American Stories. Every day on this show, we tell stories of history, faith, business, love, loss, and your stories. Send us your stories, small or large, to our email, oas at ouramericanstories.com.
That's oas at ouramericanstories.com. We'd love to hear them and put them on the air. Our audience loves them too. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years.
And now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q.
That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks.
Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. I'm U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days. from work to driving our kids around.
But when you're behind the wheel, please. Do not speed. A few minutes saved by going faster. is never worth a risk.
So follow the speed limit. Enjoy the drive. Maybe bring some snacks for the kids. and know that along the way you're getting quality time with your family. Paid for by Nitza.
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