Tag Archives: mom

How Do You Know When Your Dad is Mad?

“No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone’s eyes.”

—Paulo Coelho


by Greg Hague

Stark white rims. Dark rose lenses. “Guessing Glasses,” according to Dad. “I have to guess how she feels!” Dad said.

How can you tell when your dad is mad?

Mom in her ‘Guessing Glasses’

The year the company discontinued “her style,” she bought all they had. White rims. Dark rose lenses. Mom’s guessing glasses. One day I asked, “Mom, what’s the deal with the white sunglasses? Always the same pair. You never take them off.”

She smiled, “Greg, how do you know when your dad is mad?” That’s easy, I thought. “The vein in his forehead pops out,” I replied.   

“Exactly,” Mom said. “It’s a signal, right?” I nodded in agreement. I knew this well. (Pay attention. This next part is good.)

“That’s why I wear sunglasses,” Mom whispered. “What do you mean?” I asked.    READ MORE 

Dad’s Devotion to Mom

Dad was “on duty” ’round the clock.


Remember Lise Johnson? We told her story. She hid in a closet as a child of 9. It was Moving Day. Lise wanted to stay. Dad coaxed her out with a promise, “When you start high school, we’ll stop all these moves. I’ll quit my job, if I must. You can make friends. We’ll stay in one place.” Dad kept his word—just like he said. Fast-forward 30 years.

Lise Johnson's mom and dad

Lise’s mom, Joyce, and dad, Ralph.
They were married 48 years.

Lise takes it from here:

Mom became terminally ill. The road to the end was brutal and long. Dad stopped work and stayed home. Caring for Mom was his full-time job. His business folded. We lived off savings.

Mom loved it at home. Dad would have it no other way.

Friends and family helped, but Dad was “on duty” ’round the clock.

In the final two weeks, we moved Mom to Hospice. She needed professional care.   READ MORE 

Do the Right Thing

Mom Taught Me to Do the Right Thing…

 

LSU basketball coach Dale Brown accomplished what most do not. “The Coach” became the remarkable man he aspired to be.


LSU Coach Dale Brown

LSU Coach Dale Brown

Louisiana Legend. Basketball Hall of Fame Coach. SEC Coach of the Year. TV & Radio Analyst. Author. Speaker. Movie Consultant.

Who impacted his life? Who showed him the way?

Often, it’s moms who step in with that fatherly hand. These remarkable women bring in the bread, nurture as mothers and mentor as dads. Coach Brown had such a gift in his life.

It’s an inspiring story of Mom, written by Coach Brown for The Savvy Dad:

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Learning to Do What You Say

Learning to Do What You Say…

Sometimes others become like a dad in our life. It happened to Brandon with Alzie the cook.


Brandon Steiner is a best selling author, gifted speaker and head of New York-based Steiner Sports. He is also a big-hearted guy and wonderful friend.

In Brandon’s words:

“Aside from my mother, who taught me most of what I know about business, my most influential mentor was Alzie Jackson, the head chef at Camp Sussex in New Jersey, where I spent many summers – first as a camper, and then as an employee, in Alzie’s kitchen.

Brandon stirring the soup

Brandon stirring the soup

Alzie might have taught me the most important lesson there is to learn in business: How to build trust. If you don’t have people’s trust, they’ll never want to work for you, or buy from you.

After a few years of working my way up the kitchen ladder, I was Alzie’s right-hand man one summer. I was responsible for making all the soups, and making sure dinner was served on time.
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The Higher the Price the Shorter the Line

The Higher the Price the Shorter the Line…

Chris Neck is so young to have climbed so high.


Author of Five Books. Motivational Speaker. Management Expert. University Master Teacher. Business Week Professor of the Year.

Chris mesmerizing the crowd

Chris mesmerizing the crowd

Who showed him the way? Often it’s moms who inspire. They make the difference. They light up our days. It’s an inspiring story of struggle and fear.

In the words of my friend Chris:

“Dreams. Win the lottery. Captain of industry. Rock star. My dream? To have thousands of people crowd an auditorium to hear me speak and inspire them to a more rewarding life.

Since childhood, I’ve tried to do the difficult things others couldn’t, or wouldn’t. At 15, I ran my first marathon.
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