For me, family is where it all starts. Being the dad of two daughters is not an easy job, and certainly not one I take lightly. I am fortunate to have a career which allows me to be an active participant in my girls’ school events and extracurricular activities. As parents, my wife Jessica and I try to instill in the girls that they can achieve anything in this world through practice, hard work, and dedication. Helping them prepare for their futures is no easy task! A report from the Institute for the Future estimates that “85 percent of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet.” The year 2030 is when my oldest daughter would graduate from college.
Kansas Jayhawk basketball is one of my biggest passions. I can still remember the emotions I had in 1988 when I cheered on the Jayhawks from my parents’ living room as they beat Oklahoma for the national championship. In 2008, I was able to attend the Final Four in San Antonio and see the Jayhawks win another national championship! What an exhilarating experience! As a hobby, I enjoy collecting Jayhawk memorabilia, especially autographed photos of players whose jerseys have been retired.
On any given night there is a good chance you will find me either at a softball field or on the soccer pitch. I enjoy coaching (or helping coach) my girls in all of the sports they participate in, or just throwing (or kicking) the ball around on a free weekend afternoon. Being involved in sports not only provides the kids with much needed exercise, but it also teaches them how to work better as a team! It is such a delight to watch them grow and improve through practice and dedication.
As the author and world traveler Rick Steves said, “Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” A “broader perspective” is something my wife and I continue to seek through our travel to different places in the world. Whether we are sharing a meal at a restaurant in Bosnia, or sipping tea at The Orangery in London, we have yet to visit a place where we did not come back truly impacted. As our children get older, a goal of ours is for them to travel with us and gain an understanding of the beautiful cultures and people that inhabit this earth.