Family and Friends

Waiting in the car line

I’ve been picking Adam up after school for the last six weeks, give or take a few days. Before that, Beth was picking him up when he got out. They both go to private schools, but Beth was only doing half days. Her school didn’t offer all of the classes she wanted/needed, so she got out early to take her remaining courses online. She had a car and her online courses were pretty…
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Beth

The Call

The Call has many forms. There may be as many versions as there are people, but I suspect there are a lot of similarities. Look at your life. Pick a spot where you are vulnerable, where life has you by the fucking balls. Pardon the colorful metaphor. Now imagine a phone ringing. That’s The Call – in your life. It’s a wily bastard. It changes as your life does, adapting to your…
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Beth

Beth Grows Up

The site lost something when the kids got older. When kids get into trouble as an infant, it’s much more amusing than when they’re a teen. Plus, somewhere in between they learn how to read, become aware of the world around them, and don’t find it amusing when they lose control of their own narrative. I’m making an exception with this post because it’s really about me…
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Wellbeing

I don't understand

When my mouth is in sync with my mind, I try not to overuse the word “understand” when it comes to life experiences. It suggests a depth of shared knowledge I think is much rarer than use of the word. I hope this gives you some sense of what I mean when I say… I don’t completely understand the level of intolerance shown by many people on the basis of race, gender, religion, or just about…
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Beth

What's so special about today?

Today is Monday, July 15th, 2013. Our first born child, a little girl we named Elizabeth Ann, was born on Tuesday, July 15th, 1997. Maybe you’re not a math person… and that’s ok. Not everyone is, so I’ll do it for you (eventually). Caveat: my knowing has nothing to do with math and everything to do with said little girl (who’s not so little anymore) asking the…
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BethFamily and Friends

The stone! Give me the stone!

The set-up: My boy Adam and I were driving home after a haircut this weekend. We were listening to the radio but only one of us was paying close attention. The conversation: “I wish I had my notepad.” Why do you say that Adam? “Because I want to write something down.” That’s my boy! “What?” Nothing. What do you want to write down? “That commercial…
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Family and Friends

Beth, pride, and The Gators

My daughter has been been accepted by the University of Florida. I am bursting with pride. As Yoda might say, “A proud father I am.” I admit it’s a touch misleading though. Beth is just finishing ninth grade. She is not graduating early and she is not enrolling with the freshman class at UF next fall. She will be dual-enrolled in college courses next year, but they won’t be at…
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Family and FriendsTravelWellbeing

Worth it

Parenting is hard. For some, this is obvious. For others suffering denial, this is a sign of a severe character flaw. For a blessed few who’s beatification awaits them at their death, who’s names will be remembered in song and psalm for all time, this is an inconceivable truth. God did us this one favor – he made these people rare. This is not to say parenting is without its…
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Wellbeing

Life changes

Catching up… How long has it been since my last post with substance? By any measure it’s been a while, so I thought I’d bring you up to speed on my life (a melodramatic adventure sure to keep you reclined in your seat). If you want to skip the whining, I don’t blame you. Skip down to where it says: “The Good Stuff.” Relative to my life, there’s a lot of…
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Family and Friends

My boy

Adam still likes stuffed animals. We thought he might outgrow this “faze” by the time he started kindergarten. He hasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, this is not something that disturbs me in any way. In fact, it’s just the opposite. It reflects his personality – a sweet, sensitive kid. Often he’ll notice I’m not feeling too well, and without a word…
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