Mentor You, Mentor Me

I stood on the sidelines and watched our twelve-year-old soccer team run up and down the field. I was pleased. It seemed they were executing what we had taught in practice earlier that week; and when I shouted instructions, they worked to respond accordingly. A coach’s dream. The leader of that orange and black clad…

Climbing the Mountain

Climbing the Mountain: A Reflection of Fatherhood I sat on the edge of Iceberg Lake – a majestic place some 6100 feet up in the mountains of Glacier National Park. My daughter and I congratulated each other on a successful hike; then we “feasted” on the turkey sandwiches we had carried for our lunch on…

Have a Catch

Have a Catch Some fifty years ago on a beautiful Pennsylvania summer evening, my dad and I were in the front yard of our tiny house having a catch. Back and forth. Back and forth. Throw and catch. For variety, my dad would slip in a ground ball that I would scoop up and fire…

What Have We Learned?

What Have We Learned? I watched the local news today and saw how people were reacting to the gas shortage caused by the southern pipeline shutdown. Unfortunately, I was reminded of how some folks reacted to the toilet paper shortage not long ago. I saw people hoarding. Filling large gas cans with gallons and gallons,…

Evolutionary to Revolutionary

Pre-emergent. Applying this treatment to my lawn is supposed to stop weeds before they appear.  Pre-emergent is about thinking ahead. It is about confronting the weeds that are lurking below the surface before they blossom. My attention to my lawn now will avoid headaches later. If I do not do something, weeds will pop up…

Be There Dad

Just the Way They Are

As a licensed attorney I must attend continuing education classes every year. While these classes are intended to keep me informed about the latest developments in my own area of practice, they can also be occasions to visit areas of the law where I do not regularly practice. The sessions are opportunities to refresh my…

Father listening to son

Showing Them the Way

Be There Dad has consistently promised not to take a side on political matters. However, we have consistently pledged to support and encourage the core values of our dads and their families – what it means to be an American and how to respect others.

Time is the Gift

The Gift We Give Each Other

The holidays.  A season when there seems to never be enough time to get everything accomplished.  Most of us are busying looking for just the right gifts while we try to spend time with the ones we love.  I wonder if those two objectives can come together.  Maybe this Christmas, the best gift we can give is our time