Prince Harry Was the Attraction, But Not the Star

Posted by on May 24, 2013 in Character, Community, Courage, Heroes, Legacy, Significance | 0 comments

Colorado Springs is the home of the United States Olympic Committee as well as a few U.S. Air Force and Army installations. That makes it an ideal location to host the Wounded Warrior Games as it has for the past few years. Every year this event has drawn increasing attention as disabled men and women from each of the branches of the U.S. military have demonstrated enormous courage and cohesiveness as they both compete and cheer each other on in Olympic style races. This year was special; Prince Harry came to lend his support and cheered on the British Armed Forces team. Over 400 press...

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High arrogance; Low self-esteem

Posted by on May 14, 2013 in Character, Culture, Fathers | 0 comments

Several years ago I attended a men’s weekend encounter that was one of the most transformational experiences of my life. In 48 hours I learned more about me and about men than I would have thought possible. One of the takeaways was five simple life principles that help define and guide the transition from immaturity to maturity. They are the recognition that: Life is difficult. You are not in control. You are not that important. You are going to die. Your life is not about you. Even though each of these statements is true, immature, self-absorbed males believe the opposite of all of...

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Rules for Dads of Daughters

Posted by on May 2, 2013 in Fathers, Significance | 5 comments

“There are three things, no four,” Solomon wrote, that were so amazing to him he could not begin to understand them. The last was “the way of a man with a young woman.” (Prov. 30:19) I agree, but right after that I would put, “the way of a dad with a daughter.” There is something mystical about the relationship forged between girls and their dads. Together they bring a mix of tenderness, trust, joy, adventure, respect, hope, strength and love. Just typing those words makes me smile. One of the greatest joys of my life is being father to Barclay (33), our...

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It Takes a Hero

Posted by on Apr 23, 2013 in Character, Community, Compassion, Courage, Heroes | 0 comments

Our hearts and minds reel in stunned disbelief at the images and stories still streaming from the horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon. We simply weren’t built to process this kind of random, awful violence. Yet, these events always bring stirring stories of heroics by both trained professionals who leap into action, and seemingly average citizens who become unsuspecting national heroes. Those who are trained to respond reflexively to danger inspire us. We saw them not only in Boston, but also in West, Texas, where at virtually the same time over a dozen first responders entered the...

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Once Upon a Time…

Posted by on Mar 30, 2013 in Fathers, Legacy, Venus and Vegas | 1 comment

Just about any father of a daughter looks toward her wedding day with mixed emotions. Joy, relief, poignancy, heartache. There is no greater gift a man can give to another man than when a father entrusts his daughter to his son-in-law. I only had one daughter to give away in marriage, Barclay. On that day, June 10th 2000, I knew that I was officially no longer the most important man in her life. Truth be told, that transition had been gradually happening ever since she met Vince, her super-hero. I was fortunate and honored to be able to completely entrust her to his care because of the kind...

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