Serve by Design

My dad was known for his sayings, and the older I get I can see how I am following in his steps. One of my favorite exclamations came about when the twins started dating and bringing their boyfriends over at the house during the evening. I loved having them safely under our roof, but around nine o’clock, we were ready to turn in for the night! I would step into the family room with this warning to the girls and my future sons-in-laws: “We’re heading to the back. Don’t make me a part of your evening!” It was my way of saying, “Keep it down to a low roar! I’m going to sleep! Don’t make me get up and come in here!” Fav Cup from Mom and Dad's! Reminders of home, conversation, and love! That was then. This is now. These girls are in their early forties. One lives here in town with us and the other lives in New Mexico. They still love being together! The combined number is no longer four including spouses! There are eleven of them not counting the NextGen boyfriend! They love coming ho...

I watched a heart-warming feature the other day on a local television news program. It featured a seasoned one-hundred-three-year-old teacher who had mentored a seventy-something year old teacher who, in turn, had impacted a younger next-generation educator! It was a mentoring stair-step of inspiration, instruction, and influence that continues to be celebrated in their small town of Assumption, Illinois! Mentors Add Value! Credit: clker.com There are names for this story. First, Helen Lehman, is the centenarian mentor who started her teaching career in the 1940’s. She is still active in her community and is often stopped by her former students at the local grocery store. They recognize her and appreciate the value that she has added to their young lives. When asked why she spent so many years teaching children, she simply replied, “I love children! You gotta love kids!” One of Helen’s mentees and teaching friends is Jane Shull. She learned so many lessons from this experienced teach...

Joseph D. Keppler December 9, 1929 - February 14, 2024 (I shared the following eulogy at my Dad's funeral, February 19, 2024).  I have so many wonderful memories from growing up with my parents. I say “growing up” because it became clear when I started grade school and heard one of my peers exclaim, “Your parents are so young!” And they were! Mom and Dad eloped on June 10, 1950, and had to go all the way to Corinth, Mississippi to get a justice of the peace who would marry a 16-year-old girl to a 20-year-old sailor, who after four years of active duty, was now in the Naval reserves! That sailor and his gal would become dad and mom, grandpa and grandma, to this great family. Mike, Grandpa, and Matt "A quick pic between oil changes!" I learned so much from dad who had married young, took on a family of four kiddos, and started his own business in those first fourteen years of marriage. Growing up in a family business taught me many lessons for sure! Watching dad and mom in ...