When you’re one of 93,033 screaming, barking fans Between the Hedges on a fall Saturday, it doesn’t seem like a statistically unlikely occurrence. And when you are among 4,000-plus taking in a show in the Broadway series at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, you are not that special. When it happens somewhat spontaneously during a busy season … Continue reading Say ‘yes’ to the best
In a time before memory, decisions were made that caused the first weekend in May to fill to overflowing each year. It’s particularly acute this year as we try to squeeze in our 28th wedding anniversary, our middle child’s 20th birthday, moving said child back home for the summer from college and working commencement for … Continue reading Celebrating all the things all at once
Snowmeggedon. Snowpocalypse. Winter Storm Van Helsing. Whatever you call it, snow has been falling across the South this year in quantities not seen in my neck of the woods in a decade. We had two rounds of it with winter storms striking Atlanta Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 bringing with it that wonderful mix of … Continue reading Snow without kids just isn’t as fun
Parenting today involves a lot of heavy equipment, evidently. From “helicopter parenting” to “lawnmower parenting” and even “bulldozer parenting,” much has been made on social media, in the press and scholarly journals on the impact on a person’s psychology when parents are too involved in their children’s lives and deny them the opportunity to overcome … Continue reading Letting them figure it out
In the middle of a recent busy working weekend, I suddenly realized I had no idea where my children were. Now that’s not really a big deal because my boys are 23, 18 and 15, but it struck me as rare. Even the two older ones who are off at college are usually where I … Continue reading Do you know where your children are?
This week's "Rethinking" podcast from organizational psychologist Adam Grant prompted us to rethink the choices we've made parenting our three boys. Adam interviewed Dr. Becky Kennedy, who is rapidly becoming the Millennial Generation's answer to Dr. Spock, the noted pediatrician not the Vulcan science officer on "Star Trek." She challenged the notion that parents' job … Continue reading Choices in childrearing
Memories are fleeting. They come and go on their own timetable. I treasure my children and different memories of them flash into mind at seemingly random moments. Here are memories I cherish and hope revisit me often as the boys grow into adulthood: Barron Parents know the least with their firstborn, and we didn’t even … Continue reading Thankful for great memories
I hate moving. Moving is one of my least favorite activities because when you’re married to Carla, moving means painting. I hate painting. When we first got married we lived in an apartment with vaulted ceilings. Because of her need for color and beauty, she insisted we paint the rooms, forfeiting our security deposit and … Continue reading Four walls and a roof
On Nov. 1, 2013, my father-in-law, Lanny Barron, was in an automobile accident on his way to his house in Sandersville from his family's farm outside of town. He died on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Today's essay is the eulogy I had the honor of delivering at Lanny's funeral. He and Cynthia would have been married … Continue reading Thoughts on Lanny
There comes a time in every parent’s life when they are faced with the sudden and shocking realization that their children are no longer children. Monday morning I pulled an undershirt out of the drawer, and there at the back of the collar, just above the imprinted size and manufacturing information was the letter “L” … Continue reading Truth in labeling
New South Essays 