A Good Daddy Would Help His Son

Monday, February 01, 2010

There is nothing better than your own bed, particularly when you have been travelling all week and working (and playing) in the snow all weekend. So when I lay my tired body to rest last night, I was one happy dude. I immediately faded off to sleep. Peace.

At about 3:30 in the morning, I heard the whisper of a six-year-old boy: "Dad. Dad. My blanket won't work. I can't fix it."

"What?" I groaned back to him.

"Dad. My blanket doesn't work. I can't put it on my bed. I need help."

Are you kidding me? I looked at the clock across the room. The red digital lights screamed out 3:32. What's wrong with the blanket? How does a blanket fail to work? I will solve this: "Son, your blanket works fine. Just pull it up. You can do it."

"But ... Dad ..."

"Son! Go back to your room. It's night time."

Although I couldn't see his face or body, I knew he walked away rejected. I've seen the look before. He won't remember, I reasoned to myself, because it's the middle of the night. I rolled over, thinking I could still get a few more hours of good rest.

My wife whispered in my ear. The words pierced my eardrums and went straight to my heart. She was right. I jumped up quickly and ran down the hall.

The rejected son had his door shut, but I could see the light peering from underneath. I quietly opened the door and he stood the end of his bed. I now understood his dilemma. The top blanket was on the floor and the sheets were wrinkled up in a knot at the bottom edge of the bed.

"Need some help?"

His smile was all that I needed to see to reassure me that he was okay. "Yes, sir."

I threw him on the bed, hugged him, and gave a few tickles. "Hold still now." He spred his body out and I lofted the top sheet up in the air. It landed perfectly over his body. I tucked in the bottom and edges. I took the top blanket and did the same. I saw his homemade quilt from GG lying on the floor. Better add that one, too.

"Is that better?" I asked.

"Yes. Thanks, Dad."

I gave him a wink. I mouthed the words "I LOVE YOU." I turned out the light and walked out the door.

Not even the best sleep could replace that feeling of joy I then experienced. And all because of that little whisper in the ear from my wife. Wanna know what she said?

A good daddy would help his son.

GodThruMan: A Phone Call from Mom

Saturday, January 30, 2010

It has been quite some time since my last post, but I promise that I have been busy. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES MATT A DULL BOY.  ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES MATT A DULL BOY. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES MATT A DULL BOY.
 


No, I am not going crazy at the Overlook Hotel.  But have I have looking at contracts, prepping for trials, and flying to San Francisco.  You can imagine my surprise and happiness when my wife told me that God winked at her last week during a moment of choas.

Courtney had been up all night with sick children.  One vomit here.  One vomit there.  Here a vomit. There a vomit. Everywhere a vomit.  Then she had to take them all out to Alie's orthodontist appointment. Then she had to go to the grocery store.  Kids were screaming.  Kids were crying.  She was on the verge of her own Jack Nicholson moment.

If only I could have Pucky watch the kids.  It would only be for a few moments.  But I don't want to ask her.  What should I do? Courtney's internal debate rages.  What should I do?  I guess I will call her.  But maybe I should practice the words ... "Pat, can you watch the kids for an hour?"  No, I can't call.  She's too busy.

The phone rings.

Hello.

Hi Court, it's Pat.  I was just wondering if I can watch the kids to give you a break this morning.  I can only do it for an hour or two, but it will give you a chance to get out to the store or run an errand.

Some would call that creepy.  Some would call it coincidence.  We call it GodThruMan.

100% Update: Getting Closer to Full Recovery

Monday, January 04, 2010

If you have followed my Dad's accident and miraculous journey, you know that he is getting closer and closer to a 100% full recovery. He talks more clearly. He can move muscles on the right side of his face. And now he has been given the clear to ride in bumper cars.

Actually, he has been given clearance to drive a regular car. After taking and passing various tests given by the rehabilitation center, Dad can drive with a few limitations. (Mom is not so psyched, but she'll come around.)

So ... while Dad is not 100% ... he is getting closer.

My Top Three Year-End & New-Year Evaluations

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Everyone knows that this is a slow week for work ... unless you work in retail and there is a mad, crazy 75% off sale. For me, I am using the time to clean up my legal files, assess the deadlines for the next three months, evaluate what went right in 2009, contemplate what went wrong in 2009, and plan better for 2010.

With so many ways to attack this evaluation process, I want to share with you my top sources of evaluation (in no particular order):

For career development ... Cordell Parvin is a fellow Richmond Spider (...although a few years before me...) and former construction attorney. I came across Cordell's name about 6-7 years ago when I was contemplating a move to Dallas, Texas and I reached out to fellow law school alums. While that venture did not turn out, I have kept in touch with Cordell regularly through his books, blog, and Tweets. While you can find a lot by browsing his blog, my favorite year-end posts include:

• Why You Should Create a 2010 Plan ... Cordell has a webinar on this topic today.


• Practical Tips on How to Do Year End Planning


• And today's post about Planning at the 50,000 Foot Level

For balancing family and career and life ... sure you have your Zig Ziglar's, your John Maxwell's, and even your Rick Warren's ... but my favorite, local, "living-life-right" model is Nashville's own Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing. I first started following Michael's blog, Leading with Purpose, at the beginning of this year when I revved up my career planning and life assessment. Michael is a model husband-father-businessman-leader, who Tweets about leadership and life. Here are a few of my favorite posts, including the year-end assessment:

• Seven Questions to Ask about Last Year ... the Year Ahead post is expected soon.


• Five Characteristics of Weak Leaders, which gives you a look at how not to lead.


• Two Approaches to Influencing the Family ... notice that Michael likes numbers!

For sheer motivation ... speaker and author Andy Andrew challenges you to evaluate the importance of halftime. As for me, this week is my "halftime" moment and the second half is about to begin. The year 2010 presents some great opportunities for my career, my family, my community and my church. How about you? I know. I have lived them, too. The past few years have been tough. But the best years lie ahead.

What are you going to do to make 2010 different? ... or better yet ... What are you going to do to make a difference in 2010?

Baker. Buyer. Banker. Which Are You?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

There does not appear to be enough time during the day to get it all done. I wonder how the John Maxwell's, Zig Ziglar's, Dave Ramsey's, or Dennis Rainey's get it done on their end?

Okay. Now that I got that out of the way, I want to tell you about something real important. It is about a family in the south Nashville area that may not have Christmas this year. Well, that was almost true until our church got involved. I spoke with the mom of this family today. I could hear the tears of joy as I explained what we proposed to do: "We want to come along side your family and help brighten your holidays."

I proceeded to ask about the three children (ages 2, 5, 17). I asked about her husband. I asked about books. I asked about games. I asked about clothes. I asked about household items. I asked about food.

Yes. We can help this family. We already have over 25 volunteers ... to help make food (BAKERS) ... to help buy clothes and gifts (BUYERS) ... and to help pay some bills (BANKERS). Do you live in the Nashville area and want to help this family? Do you live outside the Nashville area and want to help this family? Either way, let me know.

Be a baker, buyer, or banker!