With unwavering command in his voice, my Lieutenant looked at me, looked down at the fire hose on the ground between us, then looked up at the thick black smoke pushing out of the second floor window. “Get that nozzle in the window! Yesterday!” As my eyes moved from the ground up the beams of […]
Faith at Fifteen Feet: Fighting Fear With Fire Read More »
The year was 1987. A gallon of gas was $.87. “The Simpsons” debuted on T.V. “Dirty Dancing” and “Fatal Attraction” dominated the box office. U2 released the hit, “With or Without You.” We saw the first appearance of the GIF picture format, changing internet culture forever. The Iran-Contra affair scandal unraveled in the U.S. The
From Self-Loathing to Self-Discipline: A 38-Year Comeback Read More »
This is part 2 of a 3 part series reflecting on my experience completing my first GTE. You can read part 1 here. ____ A GTE, or Grow Ruck Training Event, is meant to test the physical, mental and emotional limits of the men who participate, to grow their leadership skills by taking them to
What the Hell Am I Doing? My Reflections on GTE-49 Part 2 Read More »
This is part 1 of a 3 part series. ____ On a warm, October evening, on a football field at St. Pius High School in Festus, Missouri, 119 men “stepped off” for GTE-49, embarking on a 15-hour overnight heavy ruck through the hills of Jefferson County. Not sure how long we’d be out there, where
What The Hell Am I Doing? Reflecting On My GTE-49 Experience Read More »
Confession time. I have a problem. I can’t walk into a bookstore and come out not having bought AT LEAST one. And they’re almost always in the self help, personal improvement/growth genre. But my addiction to books has traditionally ended there. Reading them is a whole different thing. The small library I’ve amassed over the
Choosing Myself, One Page at a Time Read More »
After starting my college education at the ripe young age of 18, I’ve finally completed my Bachelors Degree! At the ripe young age of just 51 years old, I recently submitted the following as my capstone paper. I wouldn’t normally post something this long here, but I am. I shared it with a good friend
Battling the Epidemic of Male Loneliness Read More »
Somewhere in eternity, my mom is laughing every time I see this box (or the many like it at various stores across town). Mom died on New Year’s Day in 2013, twelve years ago yesterday, and I’m often reminded of her in small ways from time to time. Besides, the obvious dates of significance
Mom Said This Day Would Come Read More »
I have a bittersweet relationship with Dr. Pepper. In one sense, a rather fond one at that, Dr. Pepper reminds me of Mom, as it was one of her favorite beverages. When I see a Dr. Pepper, or dare to take a sip, it’s like stepping into a time machine to go back to a
From People Pleaser to Self-Healer: The Dr. Pepper Revelation Read More »