Craig Gross

Watch me and @realronjeremy on @nightline tonight on abc

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:04:44 -0700

Watch me and @realronjeremy on @nightline tonight on abc

Final Book cover for “Open” #getopen comes out July...

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:55:16 -0700

Final Book cover for “Open” #getopen comes out July 30th preorder at bit.ly/getopen

Should be a great piece about our friendship and @realronjeremy...

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:47:25 -0700

Should be a great piece about our friendship and @realronjeremy recovery

Last trip with my dad was to see the packers vs. 49ers. Just got...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:51:38 -0700

Last trip with my dad was to see the packers vs. 49ers. Just got this painting back for my living room.

New video from XXXchurch.com called Sincerely Freedom

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:10:32 -0700

New video from XXXchurch.com called Sincerely Freedom

Baptized my daughter @elisegross tonight so awesome.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:01:03 -0700

Baptized my daughter @elisegross tonight so awesome.

A talk I gave about Family Brokenness. Joined by Levi The Poet.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:06:14 -0700

A talk I gave about Family Brokenness. Joined by Levi The Poet.

Going to make a drive tonight. Was the second trip I made with...

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:43:38 -0700

Going to make a drive tonight. Was the second trip I made with my dad to see where he grew up . This close to it think ill go back

Great video from @the_increase and my buddy @joshmccown12 who is...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:58:00 -0800

Great video from @the_increase and my buddy @joshmccown12 who is very active on twitter.

Thanks Dad!

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:30:00 -0800

*I started writing this a while back and finally finished it tonight after my dad passed away this morning. So, some of it talks about my dad like he is alive because at the time of writing some of it he was.

My dad has not been in good health for as long as I remember. He owned a Sizzler years ago…so all this started with that one-sided toast they used to serve. Maybe they still serve it, but I try not to visit Sizzler. Then he worked for Burger King, Long John Silvers and Showbiz Pizza. After that he ran his own company with a hundred snack and soda machines. So, he has not been around good food for a long time. His favorite things are Coke Classic and Ice Cream.

It’s not that my dad just eats like crap. He does not care what he eats and what you say or don’t say about it. My dad has had diabetes for 30 years. He has a pacemaker in his heart and two stents. He currently has Myasthenia gravis and is dealing with several blood clots. My dad and I were never close until about six years ago. I had given up on having a relationship with him and one day he called me and said, “let’s start over.”

Let me back up. My dad always took care of me. Got me a car when I turned 16 years old. Yes, it was a teal Geo Metro Convertible that I picked out. He would come to my soccer and tennis matches as a kid and supported me on all my crazy ideas and adventures. I remember when he worked in San Diego and brought me home a pair of Vans the first year they came out.

As I grew older, my dad and I were not close even though I knew he cared. I liked him but we never seemed to talk much or connect on many things. He loved the 49ers, so I started to root for the Raiders. We did go to a number of 49er games growing up at Candlestick.

When I was 14 years old, his brother sent him some money to buy a restaurant business. He opted for candy and soda machines instead. I remember all the machines in my garage and the first place he got an order to place the machines in was the local strip club called “The Embers” in Sacramento. The only problem was they wanted to change the prices from .50 cents to $1.00. My dad had no clue how to do it. I learned and changed each and every one of those dials on the old manual machines.

We made the delivery one afternoon and that was my first visit to a strip club at the age of 14. My work lasted about a month before those machines broke, so my dad would pick me up from school and drive me to the strip club to fix the machines. We thought it was funny and my friends thought it was cool. Only my dad and I knew that the reason we had to go before lunch was because the strip club was not open. I never saw anything except a man with a gun at the door.

I left for college and never lived in Sacramento again. I would visit. I would talk to my mom and my mom would give me updates on my father and give him updates for me. My dad never called me on the phone from the time I left college till I was 31 years old. I would continue to go back to Sacramento to fix machines. I hated it. I absolutely hated fixing snack and soda machines, but I did it because I loved my dad and knew he had no one else to do it. Seven or so years ago he sold the business and retired.

One day, the phone rang and it was my dad. I instantly thought someone died. I was hoping it was not my grandma. My grandma who died last year, was the closest one to me in my family and I was worried. My dad said, “I had a hip replacement and have been on my back for a week and had a lot of time to think. Can we let bygones be bygones and start over?”

Before asking him what bygones were, I just said yes. He wanted to start over. What did that mean? It was just about 6 months prior that I told Jeanette that I wish that I could travel with my dad or enjoy time with him now that he was retired, but I had given up.

We spent a few minutes on the phone and then I told Jeanette what happened. She asked what I going to do.

I said, “I am going to invite my dad on a trip with me to speak in Colorado.” It was a trip from Friday-Monday. I called my dad and he said, “Yes, I have never been to Colorado.”

I was nervous. I tried to figure out what we would do. What would we talk about? How uncomfortable would it be in a hotel room with him? What would he think of me?

The trip was amazing. We went to the mountains, the movies, Red Lobster, and he sat and listened to me speak several times. I found out that my dad grew up in Ohio. That explained why he liked the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. I never knew much about him. I found out about his dad passing away when he was a young man. I enjoyed his company and felt we were starting down a path that I never could have imagined.

I take for granted the travel that I get to do. Most people I know don’t see airports as often as I do or get to go explore places. After each trip my dad and I would take he would mail me a letter. A hand-written letter, in cursive writing, on yellow or white lined paper. He has never owned a computer, gone online or really used a cell phone. I wish I would have saved all those letters now.

One of our next trips was to Akron, Ohio. We went to a speaking gig, then the Football Hall of Fame and then drove towards Cincinnati and drove around the town he grew up in before they moved to the bay area in northern California when he was around 12. We drove up to the house that my dad’s dad had built, the house that had so many memories for my dad. We knocked on the front door and explained to the guy who we were and asked if we could go inside. He initially said no, but if you know me, that did not work and he finally let us in and my dad stood in the house his dad had built. The owner then found the original blue prints. That was the first and only time I have seen my dad cry. He held the plans to the house and stood in the living room and shed a tear. Not a lot of them like I shed today, but it was there.

I can’t tell you all the places my dad and I have been over the last six years.

Orlando, Lakers Vs. Celtics NBA Championship game on Fathers Day, Agassi Vs. John Mcenroe tennis match, Nolan’s soccer game, Elise’s soccer game, The Grand Canyon by helicopter, Sacramento Kings games, Las Vegas, Alcatraz, Porn Debates, the Superbowl and most recently the NFC playoff 49ers Vs. Packers game for the last game ever at Candlestick Park.

It has not been about the events but about the time together, the relationship restored and a friendship started.

The last years have been great. When my dad died this morning, I can honestly say I have no regrets.

About the same time my dad and I started over, so did my wife and her dad. He left when she was 2 years old and at 33, she had not heard from him once. She paid $49 for an internet search and got his address. She wrote a letter to him and months later he responded. We met a few months after that in the town of Riverside where my wife was actually born, but neither of them had ever really gone back and visited, it just happened to be a central meeting area. He met our kids and have seen him on a handful of occasions since that first meeting.

My dad reached out to me…

My wife reached out to her father…

It has to start somewhere.

Broken families, broken relationships, hurt and pain and years and years of that will just keep you apart until someone says enough is enough. I’m glad my dad called me and I am sure my wife is glad she wrote to her father.

The Superbowl was the last time my dad was able to walk. We sat 2nd row on the Giants sideline and took in an amazing game and weekend together. His brother sent us the tickets and we’re grateful for the the chance to go. I wrote his brother and mentioned beyond the Superbowl, it would be great if him and his brother could re-connect. I also told him I thought my dad was not in good shape and life is short and that family issues/problems should be worked through.

I never thought it would turn as quick as it did. A month later my dad almost died. Father’s day this year my dad almost died again.

I drove with my family to Sacramento last Saturday to watch my dad’s favorite team play in the Superbowl. We had hoped for this game last year when we actually went to the game, but this year we settled for the TV. We were pumped because my son Nolan had a commercial on the Superbowl and then we would watch and cheer for the 49ers. My dad had been living in his own apartment, with a 24 hour care-taker. My parents split up and have been separated and my dad could no longer care for himself.

The care-taker told me on Sunday he was bleeding internally and he needed to go to the doctor. My dad was stubborn. He thought he knew his body and would live to be 87, for some odd reason he has that number in his head. I knew he would not go to the hospital and thought if we could make it through the game, then I could convince him.

As the game went on through Sunday evening, I could tell he was not quiet himself. He was still yelling for the 49ers and deeply upset when they could not punch the ball in the end zone on the last drive. As soon as the game ended, I called 911 and fought with my dad until he was to weak to argue and got him into the ER.

They did a blood transfusion and then needed the next day to discover what the bleeding was coming from. The next day turned into the another day because his body could not handle the scope. The following night when they did the scope, they did not find definitive reasons for the bleeding and then that night he suffered a heart attack.

I left Sacramento Monday morning with my family and drove home to Los Angeles. Then I flew back Monday night to Sacramento and then I flew to San Diego on Tuesday and then I flew back to Sacramento on Wednesday morning.

Ya, I am confused just writing this.

Once I got back on Wednesday my dad was in an unconscious state and could not hear me or open his eyes. I must have said “dad..it’s Craig” 30 times in his ear and got no response. I knew right then that he was gone. I was mad at myself for getting on that flight to San Diego.

Then I had lunch with my mom.

My mom said after he had a heart attack, my sister and her were there. They were holding his hands and they said my dad was scared and in pain. Those are two words that don’t describe my dad. My mom said I saw the man I married 44 years ago in the room that night. My sister also commented on my dad’s behavior that night. My mom and sister have had a rough relationship with my dad over the years and I prayed as he was nearing death for them. As I got the news from my mom at midnight when I was in San Diego, I was upset I was not there but I was in a hotel room with my two best friends. Probably the worst night of my life and don’t know if I would have anything to give to my father in those moments, but it sounds like there was something left for my father to give to my mother and my sister.

I had the last six years with my father.

Maybe those last hours I was right where I needed to be.

Maybe those last hours were not about me but were about my mom, sister and my dad. I am thankful my mom and my sister got to spend the last 4 alert hours with my dad.

Time is short…life if short. If you have broken relationships, especially family…go try and fix them. Don’t wait for the other person to call you.

It is interesting how God works because before my speaking engagement in San Diego on Tuesday, I shared a meal with someone that I had a broken relationship with. Just like my dad called me, I called him and we ate and agreed to start over.

In the end, that is what the cross is all about and because of that, every day God gives us a new start and a chance to start over.

Don’t wait another day. Make the phone call today as today is all you are promised you will have.

I have a new book coming out in July. The final manuscript edited is due tomorrow. I opened it earlier today and I read the dedication page that I wrote last month. I haven’t been able to turn the page to finish the edit.

Started writing something about my dad maybe later will post...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:36:35 -0800

Started writing something about my dad maybe later will post this is is at Fran canyon

Reconnected with an old friend yesterday and today I’m...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:15:32 -0800

Reconnected with an old friend yesterday and today I’m loosing a friend, my father. Appreciate the prayers.

Fun video shot with the GOPRO in the water slides

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:07:44 -0800

Fun video shot with the GOPRO in the water slides

Merry Christmas!

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:49:18 -0800

Merry Christmas!

Video

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:49:37 -0800

Act Like You're Suppose To Be Here

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:48:00 -0800

Act like you’re supposed to be here…my son and I say this all the time. If you say it enough, you start to believe it and so do others. It first started with sneaking up to the front row of the Wiggles show when he was four. And as of late, we have found our way into red carpet premiers, music award shows, sporting events and special one-on-one meet and greets. Some of this is because we have purchased tickets, sometimes we happen to know a few people and other times just because we did these three things below.

A few tips:

#1. Show Up.

I don’t know where you live, but show up. If there is a special event in town-a sporting event, a concert, or whatever, show up. If it is a sporting event, chances are the teams are staying nearby at the nicer hotels in the area. If there is a football game going on, the home team and the visiting team both stay at hotels the night before the game. Grab a football and take your son, daughter or wife that is a huge fan and head to the nicest hotel and see who you can see. We have found players and celebrities at restaurants and shopping centers near the hotel they are staying at.

Even if you don’t have tickets to the game or the event, head on over and line up outside the venue or scope out the place and see who you might run into or how you might end up inside. None of this happens if you don’t show up. It’s fun, free, daring and you never know what to expect, but your kid will remember it no matter the turn out.

My daughter loves the TLC show “Dance Moms”. Ya, I know its probably not appropriate. But like many people who read Playboy for the articles, she watches the show for the dancing, not the mom’s fighting. This summer I was in Ohio to speak and my daughter was with me. She said that the rival dance studio to Abby Lee Miller’s studio was in Ohio. The thought ran through my head, “I wonder how far Abby Lee Miller’s studio is from here.” I failed geography. It was 6 hours, but we had the next day free. I called the dance studio and they said they had summer drop in classes on Tuesdays for $15. We drove and we showed up. My daughter ended up taking 3 different classes and all of them had dancers from the show in them. Not only did they take pictures with her, but she got to dance along side of them! I sat in the upstairs area where all the moms fight and face timed my son and my wife, who were in Iceland at the time. They were freaking out because we were in the place that we watch every Tuesday night. Photos, t-shirts, videos, 3 classes and memories my daughter and I will never forget. That night I drove back 6 hours completing the 12-hour trip. I would do it again and so would she.

#2. You have to ask.

If Will I. Am passes right by you, you can watch him walk right past you or you can go up and say, “Can I have a picture?” This is where your kids come into play. These celebrities, players or superstars are people and unless there are thousands of people around them, they will make time for your kid. Don’t ask for your kid, make your kid do it and see the response they will get. Speaking of Will I. Am, he was so kind to my son the other night and then came and found me and shook my hand after he posed for a picture.

Over a year ago, when the Justin Bieber movie came out, he did a premier for the event. We thought we would just go over to the event and take photos and see people. Nolan met countless number of artists and stars from his favorite TV shows and then said, “Dad I want to go in.” I explained we had no tickets but then we saw a lady giving tickets away to some fans who had been there the whole day. I told my son to go ask her if she has one for you. He said, “Dad there are people with guns in security outfits preventing me from reaching her.” I told him he was 9 and shorter then the security railing. I knew if he could get to the woman with the tickets, she would give him tickets. Act like your suppose to be here and maybe just duck a little. Mission accomplished: the lady handed him two tickets and next thing you know were were in to the world premier Justin Bieber movie. The worst someone can say is no. If you don’t ask you will never hear a no or a yes.

#3. Track Them Down.

So, the other night my son and I went to the American Music Awards Show. During a commercial break, we noticed they were not checking tickets to get down to the orchestra area where all the stars were. We were sitting in back of two of the biggest Bieber fans. Towards the end of the show, My son said to them, “You want to go down to the floor and try and talk to them… follow me”. They got close but got turned away at the last second by security within feet of him. My son got a photo with Biebers guitarist, Dan Kanter The last commercial break the three of them headed down again, this time not to meet anyone but to get some better seats to see the finale. It was fun seeing the three of them close to the front at the end of the show. As we were leaving, I thought let’s go next door, which next door is the JW Marriot and the Ritz Carlton and see who is walking around. Duh! Two nicest hotels next door to the venue. Within minutes we saw No Doubt, Justin Biebers crew, and several others. They were all going up the escalators to the second floor, so we followed them, in a non-stalking way. Once we were there, we noticed they were all going into a party and we were not because we had no wristbands. All we had were our ticketmaster tickets we bought for the awards show. While the people were waiting to get in the party, it was a great chance to meet some of them and grab some pictures. The guy holding the door at the party started talking to my son. He then came over to me and said, “Looks like a good father/son outing.” My son then asked him, “How do we get into the party?” He said you needed a wristband and just make sure it is not broken.

A few minutes later as people were leaving the party my son kindly asked some nice ladies who were leaving if he could have their wristbands. They gently took them off and we walked into the party. We saw the guy from the door at the bar area and he just laughed and said, “Of course you got in”. We walked around and hung out and noticed that we had black wristbands but needed silver wristbands to get in the VIP area. After a while we started talking to a couple people who noticed Nolan in all his swag and they were supposed to be at the party. We told them our story and they said they were really connected and we could have their extra passes. We then got the new passes and were on our way. We missed Justin Bieber by about 5 minutes, but it was still great.

Last week, I went to the Bears vs. 49ers game. My buddy David is a die hard Bears fan and my friend Josh McCown just got picked up by the Bears again. So, after the game he said for us to meet him by the player buses and we could hang. David has been going to games for years. He has season seats to the Bears and the Cubs and never knew about this area. The players come out and see their family or friends and then motion for you to get past security and you go hang for a bit. We went to the area, but Josh took a while to do his hair, so we waited a while. In the meantime, David who is 46, pretended to be a 9-year old taking photos of every Bear who came out to grab their family members. A few other people were there wanting autographs. Most of the players all stopped and signed things for those who asked.

I was 15 years old and with my dad when I met Michael Jordan. The autographed magazine is still in my office today. It is probably one of the best memories I have with my Dad as a child. Teach your kids to be adventurous. Not every rule is meant to be broken, but some are.

I started a few years ago giving my kids a new kind of gift for Christmas. The first year I wrapped up something that said, “free trip with dad”. I travel a lot for work and can bring kids here and there. The following year the kids asked me if they could get more trips for Christmas. I gave them two trips each on paper, but in the end they both had several more than that. My 7 year old daughter just gave me her Christmas list. #1 item…20 trips with dad. I laughed. Take your kids out, be adventurous, pull them out of school…yes pull them out of school. Who cares about the perfect attendance record that means nothing…and when you grow up remember what it was like to be a kid and sometimes just act like a kid again.

If you live in the middle of nowhere you might just have to settle for TMZ.

Just a day in someone else’s closet @debmjohn

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:50:37 -0800

Just a day in someone else’s closet @debmjohn

Family ice cream trip at sprinkles ice cream (at Sprinkles Ice...

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:14:58 -0800

Family ice cream trip at sprinkles ice cream (at Sprinkles Ice Cream)

It’s been a while, but my phone rang last night. This was...

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:42:26 -0800

It’s been a while, but my phone rang last night. This was a health survey. More at

http://www.craiggross.com/telemarketers

Ya this came today thanks @davidvahey will wear to Green Bay...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:13:10 -0800

Ya this came today thanks @davidvahey will wear to Green Bay next month