Tag Archives: unconditional love

7 Ways My Father Influenced Who I Am

“My heroes are and were my parents. I can’t see having anyone else as my parents.”

—Michael Jordan


Today’s story contributed by Harold Herring.

my father

Harold Herring with his mother and father

When I was a freshman in college…we were asked to write a paper on the greatest man we’d ever met. It was an easy and immediate decision for me… I wrote about my Father.

Since that first year of college…I’ve met five Presidents, two Vice-Presidents, numerous Generals, Admirals, sports stars, singers, international ministry leaders and assorted other celebrities and persons in authority.

If I were asked to write the same paper during this the 25th anniversary of my 39th birthday year…I would still write about my father…for whom I will always call Daddy, so why change.

He was and still is the greatest man I’ve ever met.

My purpose in this blog is not just to write something sentimental about my father but there are several things that “Mr. Harold,” as Dad was known in our town, taught me…that will benefit and bless all who read these words. READ MORE 

Life on My Terms

“There is only one you for all time. Fearlessly be yourself.”

—Anthony Prapp


Today’s story is from Stan Snyder.

Life on my terms. It didn’t feel right to hide who I was. I dreaded the day, but it had to be done.

Life on My Terms

Stan at the beach

It wasn’t as hard as I thought — “coming out” in a small Tennessee town. I was an athlete, on the swim team. I made great grades. I was president of my class.

Maybe because people respected me, it was OK. Not a word to my face. I expected a beating from other “jocks” in my school. I was surprised. It never came. I felt “whole” for the first time.

And because it was easy, I decided to make the next step. Mom was long gone — she died when I was six. I decided to tell my family, starting with Dad. READ MORE 

Mom Saved My Life

If you don’t read this, you lose. It’s that touching. It’s that good.



Today’s story is from Chloe Veron

Chloe Veron is 21, a junior at Harvard. I’m sure she has a remarkable dad. I know she has a remarkable mom.

Mom saved my life

Mom Joy and Chloe

Chloe’s mother saved her life … and her sister Annie’s … and her brother Elliot’s, but paid a dear price. Chloe and her sister Annie, produced one of the most heart-warming, videos I’ve ever seen. It’s a well-deserved tribute to an incredible mom.

At Savvy Dad, we normally talk about dads. For Mother’s Day, it’s our privilege to honor one amazing mom. After seeing the video (and shedding a tear with Roseann), I sent a message to Chloe in the hope that she might share a photo and perhaps a comment or two. We had not met or communicated before.

Here’s what she wrote back:    READ MORE