These chips represent my frustration with my relationship with my Dad. We were never close and very different (I was a 70’s hippie, he was to the right of Archie Bunker). We both did love gambling, and in the 90’s my wife and I met my parents twice in Vegas for a shared vacation.

What disasters.

The first time we both stayed in the Sands…the next year we decided it would be better that we had some “space” and they stayed cheap at the IP; we stayed at Luxor for $3 LES per night (and that’s how my Dad works). Could not convince him to shop around…he knew best (he always did - just ask him). They hated their room and Mom wanted to spend nights with us.

Anyway, I tried to get him to go gambling with me…thought we could play blackjack or craps together to try and bond a bit. Nope - all he wanted to do was sit for hours at a slot machine and dump quarters in (and complain about his luck). It never happened.

In 1997 we sent my folks round-trip airfare from Michigan to Vegas for their 50th anniversary, put them up at the Trop (Mom liked it, at least) and gave them a $500 line of credit at the restaurants. They NEVER ate there - usually went to McDonald’s or something - and complained about the trip the whole time (OK, my Mom didn’t).

Two years later Dad developed quick esophageal cancer and passed away. We never played together. I still miss the chance to try again.