My Window The view from my home office looks out onto a cul-de-sac. Recently our neighborhood has begun to “turn over” as long-time residents have retired, others have answered career opportunities and they have moved on. In their place, we have welcomed new families mostly with school-aged children. Girls and boys ranging in age from…
In a few weeks, we will hold our yearly Evening with Be There Dad event. This annual gathering is a time for dads to reflect on the “big picture” of fatherhood. The theme for discussion this year will be “beyond carpool line”. Specific Lessons, Experiences and Skills I have written often about enabling our children…
Recently there has been a lot of talk about making sure our country is a meritocracy. Meritocracy has been defined as a society in which people are chosen and moved into positions of success, power and influence on the basis of their demonstrated abilities and merit. Meritocracy That is not a totally undesirable aspiration. Knowing…
I coached rec league soccer for fifteen years. From kindergarteners to seniors in high school. Boys and girls. Experienced players and newcomers. I think if you asked the parents whose kids were on our teams, they would tell you that I was usually patient and compassionate. Occasionally I had to be strict. Sports were vehicles…
On this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, a time of remembrance, reflection and hope for unity; I remember a moment that changed my life forever. A Long Way From Home A dozen years ago, my colleague and I traveled along North Tryon Street just after 5 pm on a Tuesday afternoon. We turned into a…
On a chilly Saturday morning just a few weeks ago, I participated in a tree planting event at a CMS Middle School. On that morning in December, my hope was renewed once again. It was a day that just made me feel good. Trees Charlotte The event was coordinated by a non-profit organization called Trees…
Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States died this week. Because of the extensive media coverage, we all had a chance to look once more at the life, legacy and history of this remarkable man. In my never-ending search for role models, former President Carter is certainly high on the list. A leader. A…
Early in my time coaching kids’ basketball and soccer, after devoting much time and energy to practice and games; I asked myself if the time and effort were worth it. I asked myself if I was making a difference. I wondered, if like a box of Cracker Jack, there was a prize somewhere inside. Now,…
In current parlance, I am working to “declutter” my garage. I am working to get rid of things I no longer need. In that effort, I have re-discovered some treasures. Recently, I uncovered a set of golf clubs once owned by our uncle who passed away almost twenty years ago. I inherited them and they…
In Take Them by the Hand, I wrote: I was going through security at a major airport not long after 9/11. Asked to empty my pockets by the security agent; I placed my car keys, loose change, money clip and comb in the plastic dish as directed. The security agent looked at the contents of…