Playing JV
August may be my favorite month. For many young athletes, it is a time of new beginnings. Football and other fall sports renew practice in a big way.
Jeff Usher is Be There Dad. He became known as “Coach Jeff” during his 15 years of coaching soccer and basketball in a faith-based recreational league, teaching Sunday school and leading other child focused activities. Jeff is the founder of Be There Dad and the author of two books, Be There Dad and Take Them by the Hand.
While he works as a lawyer to make a living; supporting children by leading and guiding their dads has become his passion in life. He has been happily married for over 30 years and has two grown children.
Finding our Nemos
Now I can be part of the conversation, too. I know Nemo. I know about his lucky fin. I know Marlin, Dory, Gill and Crush [Dude!] I know about the adventure. I know about the relationship between the father and the son. I understand how they all fit into our world. Now I can take the next step and go Find Dory without feeling lost. I have “caught up”.
The most important lesson?
I sat only a few hundred yards from the dorm room where I had left my daughter as a freshman. Just four years ago, she had taken the biggest step of her life to that point.
A Mother’s Day Reflection
When the time to go came, she gave me a kiss, squeezed my hand and told me “I will be here when you come out”. These were the truest words I have ever heard.
My Dreams are Yours
One evening, instead of retiring after the news, as he usually did, my dad hung around and watched the entire movie with me. The selection that night was entitled Spencer’s Mountain* starring Henry Fonda.
UNPACKIN’ it Radio – Jim Kelly
This week we are joined by Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. He had a tremendous NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, appearing in four straight Super Bowls.
Showing our kids how to serve
As I stood there wearing my Be There Dad shirt, I saw some of our dream coming true. Parents and children were working together. This is how we teach our kids.
Life is a Marathon … or at least a “Half”
On Saturday morning, I stood among some 5000 others in what they call the runners corral waiting to run a local half marathon. Trying to stay warm in near freezing temperatures, my mind wandered to the last time I had stood in a similar crowd waiting to run my first “half” over thirty years ago.
Make a Memory
Recently we held a Be There Dad workshop at a local elementary school. The audience was a group of dads whose kids all attended this school where there is an active Be There Dad group. Most of these dads had already been involved with service to the school at car rider line and other events.
Making Time – Encouragement From a Local Dad!
After watching the recent interview on Charlotte Today, a long time Be There Dad supporter sent me the following email. I was immediately touched. His message is simple, but it captures the essence of Be There Dad.