I’m writing this on my 83rd birthday. My life has changed since my 2019 cancer diagnosis. In a nutshell, cancer appears in my body, the doctors zap it, I’m good to go, another spot pops up and we do it again. Each time it reappears, it’s a reminder I’m one step closer to judgment day. Without cancer, the same would […]
» Read moreMy invitations to be the commencement speaker from the prestigious academic shrines must have been lost in cyberspace; so, I will share my thoughts for the graduates from my personal podium. Congratulations to the class of 2023. Today is the day to celebrate your academic success, leave your educational cocoon, grow your wings and move toward adulthood. Commencement addresses are […]
» Read moreI asked my 18-year-old grandson Braidyn about college. He was visibly frustrated; “Grandpa, I don’t know what I want to do, or where I want to go.” He’s college material, National Honor Society, excellent people skills, and a great work ethic. He’s an accomplished welder, with an excellent-paying job waiting for him upon graduation – should he want it. Part […]
» Read moreA Note From Dennis: Each year I write a mentoring letter for the holidays, hoping readers will forward it to their family and friends. This was written in 2019. With many new readers, I wanted to run it again. I feel it is still very appropriate today. EARLY FALL 2008 – It was my 50th high school class reunion; a […]
» Read moreCongratulations graduates, you have worked hard and should be celebrating your academic success. Don’t allow a temporary setback to dampen your spirits! Whether you are graduating from college, high school, grade school or something else, my message is the same. Last year a reader sent me, “We Are What We Choose”. It’s the remarks by then 46-year-old Jeff Bezos (billionaire […]
» Read moreThe world was different before the invention of effective birth control. I had three children at age 22. My wife and I were primarily raised by our grandparents – we were scared. What did we know about parenting? Dr. Benjamin Spock’s best-selling book, “Baby and Child Care” touted, “mothers know more than you think you do”. What about fathers? You […]
» Read moreDuring the holidays I generally share mentoring ideas. A top article, in terms of positive reader feedback, appeared three years ago. As we have quadrupled our readers since then, my wife Jo suggested I update it – the message is timeless. We recently celebrated our 60th high school class reunion. I love to meet old friends and play catch up, […]
» Read moreLast summer we went to Illinois to attend my 58th reunion of the Class of 1958. I’ve changed names to protect everyone’s privacy, but the story is real. Unlike the 50th reunion with it’s choreographed speaker list, we had an open microphone for anyone to speak. Stan, one of our standout student-athletes (he still holds a track record, and he […]
» Read moreMany years ago a friend asked, “Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall at your funeral?” We both agreed it would be cool to hear what people say about you when you are dead. Today, in my mid-70’s, having experienced a number of funerals where sociopaths, cheats, and downright jerks are regaled like saints I have come […]
» Read moreI recently reconnected with Phil M. a high school buddy I had not seen in 50 years. We played “catch up”, shared some laughs, and then we began complaining about the state of the world today. We discussed lazy and disrespectful kids, government meddling in a kid’s lunch box – and a lot of points in between. My wife Jo […]
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