Son – Disney Creativity and Innovation Keynote Speaker

Let’s make “SYDK” a category, home

two people at mountain pass — Dear Son, your passion for card strategy games is remarkable. Loved that we got to play Dominion for three days at Sperry in 2025. Love that you got to experience Sperry for the first time in such a special way.

Dear Son, it has been fun thinking and writing about this stuff today.

Started writing today’s five posts a couple hours ago.

The first two posts flowed easily and quickly. Third post also easy, but focus started to fade as the morning progressed.

Why?

It’s Saturday and there are a few other things calling my name.

One of the biggest opportunities that’s creating dynamic tension in my vibrancy is letting go of work stuff and space.

In my head, the dumb idea to get the thought-party started is: “Could i clear office selves, drawers, and other spaces for your use?”

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This website is about our HOME. This is the fifth of five daily, differently-themed blog posts about: (1) mind, (2) body, (3) spirit, (4) work, (5) home. To return to Mid Life Celebration, the site about MIND, click here.

Shit you didn’t know, home

canadian license plate — A special family sign, randomly found during one of my frequent Canada trips for Disney Institute.

Publix grocery store — Today’s lesson was about the completely empty parking lot. When it officially opens, it will be “our” Publix.

father and son at apple store — We are Apple Store ‘frequent flyers’.

father and son at small town sign — Desire and courage. Like father and son. i think this photo is on the way to a remote Cub Scout camping trip.

Florida family enjoying backyard pool — Central Florida swim season starts on the vernal equinox.

Windermere Prep high school athletic field — Lower left: Dr Rawlings (English) and our Son (new to school, freshman) talking about the home football game’s low attendance.

Family gathering — A rare personal Family group photo, July 16, 2016.

Track workout — Each person has a different reason for being there at 7am on a hot, humid summer morning. Chapin on far right.

child in flowers — i write for my Family, particularly my Son and Wife.

school parade Dr Tom Marcy and Willow — Big ‘all-school” parade. Headmaster Dr Tom Marcy and his dog Willow. Our Son is walking behind Dr Marcy.

bear jam in National Park — Carrying a huge camera has been out of my comfort zone since our son was born. This is a ‘bear-jam’ on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier.

little boy in hospital bed holding three teddy bears — Our son in a hospital bed holding three teddy bears. He had three colonoscopies between his 4th and 5th birthdays.

Glacier National Park and Stitch figurine — A favorite Disney character that goes everywhere i go, for a specific reason – love, Ohana.

Dear Son,

Shit you didn’t know…

How could you?

You were just a kid.

What you didn’t know is…

How being your dad inspired and guided everything i did (and why i did it)…

The ONLY reason i started blogging was to get writing practice to write and publish a book. The book was a 1979 self-promise to capture my life’s greatest lessons outside a classroom. It would serve as a life-guide for our children.

Blogging completed its writing-practice objective.

But something weird and unexpected happened.

i couldn’t stop writing.

Why?

i enjoy it and i couldn’t help myself.

Still enjoying it.

Still can’t help myself.

And here we are some 18 years later, never missing a day.

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All i want for Christmas

mother and son next to Christmas tree — December 25, 2025. Today.

All i want for Christmas is what any parent wants for their Family.

Note: Yes, well aware this publishes long after Dec. 25, 2024. August 15, 2025 to be exact.

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Life has no favorites

child in hospital bed with a couple teddy bearst — One of his early colonoscopies. He always took his posse.

Live like you mean it.

How can you not?

Ps. You can. And you get to decide on the helpfulness from your decision(s).

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Better than me at home

Think differently, have fun, and lean into discomfort.
dad

Wishing you peace in your soul, joy in your spirit, and love in your heart. For all your Family, all your Friends, and especially for all those less fortunate.

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