When my daughter was in kindergarten, she said in a matter of fact way tthat an older boy was picking on a 1st grade boy sitting next to her on the bus.  She said she tried to kick the older boy off but the angle and her lack of reach from her inside position made it difficult.  I told her that I was proud of her regardless.

Another time, she took care of three older boys harassing her little brother on the playground. She said she was prepared – Quicker, Tougher, Smarter, right Dad?

Recently, I told her that I was destined to be her father. God does not play dice or mess around with these sorts of things. She’s hella smarter, stronger, and more poised than I am.

But I once had game.

One of the key things in life is to try to do the opposite of all the negative stuff we experience and encounter. I tried to do that and redirect as much as I could.

I read an interesting interpretation of the classic Harry Chaplin song Cats In The Cradle. The conventional view is that a son grows up to be exactly like his absent, distracted father. But if you actually listen to the last verse more carefully and with a different perspective, the son is taking care of his family and that’s why he has no time for his dad. Probably not the intention of the songwriter but worth considering.

When I lead or managed, I tried to do it as a coach. I saw a key team member as an extension of me – just as a point guard or quarterback is the embodiment of a coach’s teaching and philosophy on the court or field.

These days, as my daughter gets older, I can start passing down more.

I told a friend recently that I observed a lot. Much of which I kept to myself. On situations, people, etc.

For so long, I wondered what was that all about and the payoff.

She is the answer.

She runs my offense.

She will pull the strings.

She will rise above.