From the Masters

This past weekend Amy, Ryne, and I were visited by some of my family that we don't often see. I was asked what has been the most surprising thing that I've learned from parenthood so far. I thought, and I answered (the answers came to me quite easily, actually). There are two things: 1) You can not explain how great parenthood is to anyone who is not a parent - they'll never understand (I would have never understood prior to Ryne). 2) All of a sudden you regret all of the stupid things that you did when you were younger because you realize the enormous amount of stress it must have put on your parents to worry about you so much. The Masters also took place last weekend. I like golfing; I like watching golf when Tiger Woods is competing for wins. The Masters was just completed this past weekend, and it was entertaining on Sunday because Tiger was wearing red and he was in contention for another green jacket. Anyways, there has been a lot written regarding the Masters, and I wanted to share a couple of the things that I read. I came across the first article from a Scott Van Pelt (ESPN anchor) tweet. It is a MUST READ. It is about a son and his father, but it doesn't matter if you are a father, mother, son, or daughter - it is a wonderfully written emotional piece. If it doesn't bring a tear to your eye, questions will be raised. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=fathersday The following paragraph is from another Masters related story written by ESPN reporter, Bill Simmons - The Sports Guy (I LOVE the Sports Guy - he loves all teams Boston/New England - Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox - and he gets paid (a lot) to cover them). The Sports Guy is talking about Tiger Woods... "I am supposed to think that he's a poor role model -- that he's an adulterer, that he's selfish, that he's a phony, that he behaves badly on golf courses, that he's someone I wouldn't want my son to emulate some day. That's horses---. I want my son to know that people screw up, that nobody is perfect, that you can learn from your foibles. I want my son to watch "The Natural" someday, hear Roy Hobbs say, "Some mistakes you never stop paying for," and know that it's not just words in a movie. I want my son to know that you haven't lived until you've fought back, that you haven't won until you've lost, that you can't understand what it's like to relish something until you've suffered, too. I want him to understand that it's the 21st century, that we sit around picking our heroes apart all day, that we expect them to be superhuman at all times, that we get pissed off when they aren't, that it's hypocritical if you really think about it." Ryne has already watched "The Natural" with me, but I have yet been able to teach him Hobbs' lesson.

Happy Birthday Amy

Today is my wife's birthday so I dedicate this blog entry to random thoughts of her; even though I usually blog about Ryne, I haven't forgotten about you...Happy Birthday!

As I am applying for news jobs, and being interviewed...one of the most frequent questions that I am asked is name three adjectives to describe an educational administrator, or three adjectives to describe yourself. Well, here are my three adjectives to describe Amy: caring, kind, and nice. Amy, you might well be the nicest person that I know. You are the go to person for all of your family and friends when they have problems, and you help/listen to all of them. I hope that our son inherits these traits from you!

Ever since I moved to the Quad Cities, (Amy and) I have watched Mike & Mike in the morning on ESPN2 as we get ready for work. Anyways, one of the two Mike hosts, Mike Greenberg, tells a story about rapidly walking down the halls of the ESPN studios with the legendary college football coach, Lou Holtz (whom I do not like). Holtz asks Greenberg if he has children. Greenberg tells Holtz that he does. Holtz then tells Greenberg that the number one best thing that he can do for those children is to show them that he, Greenberg, loves his wife, their mother. I have heard this same piece of advice from another legendary football coach, Tony Dungy (whom I really do like). It is great advice. Amy, I love you, and hopefully my actions speak this to you every single day.

After watching them perform with Bob Dylan at the Grammy's, one of my favorite new bands is Mumford and Sons (thanks for their cd, Kyle). In one of their songs, Winter Winds, there are the following lyrics: "We'll be washed and buried one day my girl And the time we were given will be left for the world The flesh that lived and loved will be eaten by plague So let the memories be good for those who stay." I love those lyrics. And while it is sad to think about one day being gone, I think it leaves you with an excellent perspective. We, unfortunately, will one day be gone. Therefore it is important to leave those that we leave behind with the memories of us having fun together, loving each other, and being respectful towards each other. Amy, although our definition of fun may have changed over the years, I still have great fun with you (even when we don't do anything). I love you, and I respect you. (Here is the link to the Winter Winds video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY the verse that I mention begins at the :55 second mark.)

Amy, you are a great Mom. You are a natural Mom. You seem to know all (or at least most all) of the answers to questions that I have. You do your homework so that you can be as knowledgeable as possible in regards to child development and raising a child. Ryne is lucky to have a Mom like you. I am lucky to be raising a son with a Mom like you.

Happy Birthday Amy! I love you! I hope that you have a great day today, and I hope that you have a great time with your birthday gift...it is for all of those times that you have gone to sporting events with me; thanks!