June 26, 2012

Ainsley’s prom was this evening. Linda and I went to one of the other parent’s houses to take photos of the kids before they went off in their limo. Ainsley looked awesome. She has developed into such a well rounded woman. Her guy, Robert, looked equally as awesome. They had a pretty poor time at Prom – at least the dinner sucked – at the Oakville Conference Centre or some such thing.

I remember looking forward into my life at that point and seeing my future much different than how it has turned out. I have some regrets but they pale when compared to my children. They are beyond compare. I am very, very fortunate to have then in my life.

Speaking of fortunate, I am completely overwhelmed with Linda. Last night, we decided to grab some wings and beer at Shoeless Joes. We talked about how great our kids are. They are our product. “You teach what you know. You reproduce what you are.” We are so proud of Morgan and Ainsley. They are great people and are going to do great things.

Ainsley has a friend who is having a lot of challenges with her parents to the point this kid’s dad kicked her out of the house the other night. Ainsley had her over – didn’t ask us ‘cause she doesn’t have to. Our home is a haven to whomever of our friends or acquaintances needs it. Yesterday, this kid was at prom and told me that Linda and I are “so cool”.

Look, the way Linda and I look at it, kids at prom are going to drink. Pretending it won’t happen is stupid. So we gave Ainsley a car to get to the after-prom-party and had the promise she was DD. All we ever want from our kids is their safety and health.

So this blog had nothing at all to do with my work. Or did it?

“You teach what you know. You reproduce what you are”. If you want to have kids (or business partners, employees, etc.) that make great choices – make yourself better. It is easy to say “be good to people” but I you aren’t doing that – it won’t happen. Its not a selfish thing to say – but our kids are great because Linda and I are great parents. Not to say we don’t have bad habits or anything like that. But our kids also have the comfort to say “I’m not going to be like that!”.