Tag Archives: life lesson

Dad’s Fear of Flying

Dad’s Fear of Flying . . .

Accomplished, handsome, and more than just a tad cocky, meet my father, Bob.


Thanks to Barbara Bockner for sharing her fearless memory of Dad.

It was 1942. Bob was 35, a civil engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Dad's fear of flying

(Left to right) Barbara’s older brother Bobby, Barbara, Mom (Reva), Dad (Bob), younger brother Barry.

World War II was ramping up. Dad was working on the Panama Canal. Mom, a teacher, was also stationed there. They married in Panama. I was born there.

After Panama, we traveled the world. Japan, as Dad helped to rebuild after the war. Iran, though we would leave as trouble erupted over the border in Iraq. Hawaii. Germany. We circled the globe.

Dad could do anything. Except one thing. Dad refused to fly…he’d take the slow boat.

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Jilted in Prague

Jilted in Prague


Today’s story is from Courtney C.

Savvy Dad, you write often about sons. I am a daughter.

Sons can be jerks. Let’s call this jerk “Brad”.
He was not my first love. He was my first jerk.
Savvy Dad I am a daughter

Courtney and Dad, John in Rich Valley,VA long ago.

I was 23. Brad did a number on me.

Teaching English In Prague, I was living far from home. I’d just been jilted. I felt like I’d been kicked to the curb. Now, sitting at the top of a staircase, I was spying on Brad. What I observed I expected. It was not what I had hoped.

My dad had just flown in for a visit. He didn’t know. The moment I saw him, I crumbled, “Brad stole my heart, Dad. He siphoned my money, took all that I had. We dated a few months. He said he was temporarily short. I started picking up tabs. He said he lost his job. I opened my home.   READ MORE 

Role Reversal with Dad

Role Reversal with Dad . . .

Dying is not pretty, but can happen in a beautiful way.
That’s how Mike Goforth remembers his Dad, H.T.


Today’s story is from Mike Goforth.

That final year—diapers, long nights, treatments and all. We listened in awe. Sit down. Grab onto your heart.

A role reversal

Son and father, Mike and H.T. Goforth

“Dad was a proud figure as we grew up. A Navy man, he believed in honor, trust and hard work. He knew the meaning of tough. Dad was a disciplinarian to my brother and me. He was 100% fair, but our line was clear-cut. Step over the mark and we’d better watch out.

As I grew up, my father taught me much about life. Be strong. Stay true. When in doubt, just do what is right.

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Dad Wasn’t Budging

Whap! Two burly, rough men threw it down on the floor.
Woosh! With a flick of their arms it swooshed by our toes.
“You like?”
“No thank you!” Dad firmly said, time and again.

Today’s story is from Elizabeth Parsons.

Elizabeth Parsons

A stunning Elizabeth Parsons with William (nickname “X”), her good looking dad.

My name is Elizabeth. It happened 17 years ago. It’s a story now easy to tell. At the time, not easy to live.

Have you ever felt terrorized, out of control? The freedom you presume, lost and subsumed?

My father and I sat close, feeling alone. We were confronted by men with weapons of rugs.

Of course, I know rugs are not guns. You were not there.   READ MORE 

Dads Are Coaches for Life

Dads Are Coaches for Life . . .

College game day.
The stadium exploded, a deafening roar.


Today’s story is from Ben Thompson. His father is Rick.

Virginia Tech had just beaten No. 1 ranked Duke, 64-60. The game was hard fought, a squeaker throughout. Victorious, Ben looked into the crowd. His eyes focused only on one.

Dad's a coach for life

Father and son, Rick and Ben Thompson

When Ben was Young Rick worked with his son from the moment he could dribble a ball. This father knew his stuff. He was a revered high school basketball coach. His team won the state championship in 1991.

Under Rick’s charge, Ben blossomed into a star.

He was the captain of the team his dad brilliantly coached.

A grown-up Ben was now coaching at Florida’s Saint Leo University, a small NCAA Division II team. Then came the day he received a momentous call, from Virginia Tech, his alma mater. A dream job was offered to this very young man. Would he coach at Virginia Tech? The catch, “We need to know now.”   READ MORE 

Kids Don’t Die Young

Kids Don’t Die Young . . .

The order of things.


by Greg Hague

Greg Hague's son, Corey

Corey today.

We presume an order to life.

  • Have kids when we’re young.
  • Die when we’re old.
  • Dads pass before sons.

It’s not always that way. June 30, 2000 – Corey’s 19th birthday. A new high school grad, Santa Clara awaited that fall. This young man exemplified ethics, kindness, quality friends…everything right. We went with Corey to a party at his best friend’s home.   READ MORE 

The Kids Want Off Your Payroll!

Upscale Dogs and Secret Bars


Today’s story is about Brian Shebairo and his childhood pal Chris Antista.

I’m mentoring 600 of your kids. They’re about to graduate from ASU. I’m giving a talk on “Finding a Job”. It’s a big deal…to you and to them.

They want off your payroll. And you agree!
Crifdogs hotdogs

A good idea.

  • I thought about law. I’ve done it. Try to solve life-crippling problems. Fight emotion fraught fights. Not for your kids.
  • Medicine? Lives at stake. Their hands in strange places they weren’t meant to be. No way.
  • Corporate America? Bosses who know less than they do (they’ll think). Nope.

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