Category Archives: 2024 Reflections

Some kids idolize Saquon Barkley.  For others, that person is Taylor Swift.  For many, it’s Spidey or Batman. This year, my 4-year old son’s hero was Mr. Derwin – the builder who did our home renovation. Now, whenever Jack builds with his Magnatiles, tinkers with his tools, or does “hard work, yard work” he proudlyContinue reading “November 2024: Mr. Derwin”

We just completed a 6-month home renovation.  But I’m not writing this post to share before and after pictures of the kitchen remodel.  This reflection is about moving our family of 5 (+2 cats) into my parents’ house…and living there from April to October. This is an apology for cluttering their rooms, intruding on theirContinue reading “October 2024: Room and Board”

Dear Payson, You’re gonna go far, kid. You haven’t been around that long, but you’ve shown a few special qualities since Day 1 that I hope you’ll carry on throughout your life.  Of course, you will constantly change as you grow, and we’ll find out so much more about you in the coming days andContinue reading “August 2024: Dear Payson”

It was 9:30 pm on a warm summer night in Margate, New Jersey. I’m sitting on the front porch of the Buckley family beach house with some of my best friends in the world. Not too many years ago, this crew would’ve been gearing up for a late night out on the town.  But nowadays,Continue reading “July 2024: Friends in low places”

A few weeks ago, I “GOT” to ride bikes with some of my favorite people. Last Christmas, my father-in-law, Pop, rallied a few of us to sign up for the upcoming American Cancer Society’s Bike-A-Thon. I’m not a big cyclist and didn’t see any room on the calendar to become one this year. So itContinue reading “June 2024: We “GET” to ride”

“Don’t blink” they said. We heard it everywhere we went on our family vacation to Florida.    I heard it from the guy sitting next to me on the plane as I rummaged through my carry on for goldfish and coloring books.   Jordan heard it from the couple at the pool as she frantically scrambledContinue reading “April 2024: Don’t Blink”

You greet your friends at the Philly airport bar. You’re all ready to fly down to Charleston for your buddy’s bachelor party. You’ve left the responsibilities of life behind you. You’re well rested, worry free, and full of anticipation for what lies ahead. You order a beer, talk logistics, and exchange mutual excitement with yourContinue reading “February 2024: Memory Dividends”

No wind. No rain. No winter storm can stop us, baby! And January brought all of it. Fallen trees. Power outage. A little water in the basement. A desperate scramble to preserve frozen food and find somewhere warm to sleep. 2 hour delays. Daycare closures. A snowblower that wouldn’t start. Stressed parents. Restless kids. RotatingContinue reading “January 2024: sNOw Worries”