My two older sons and I failed in our first attempt to see the Atlanta Braves take on the San Diego Padres at Truist Park May 18 because of inclement weather, and we weren’t mad about it. The rainout doubled our fun. I had a jacket and we all had our umbrellas at the ready … Continue reading You win some, you lose some and sometimes it rains
Tag: family
Graduation vs. Commencement
If you’re like me, your social media feeds are filled with joyous celebration photos from high school graduations and college commencements across the country. This is the season of endings and beginnings. Last year we had the former. This year we have the latter. All this pomp and circumstance has me contemplating the differences between … Continue reading Graduation vs. Commencement
Mothers and sons
It seems rare for a family structure to repeat, but my family is living proof it happens. I grew up the oldest of three boys with my mom the lone female in a household of uniquely male eccentricities. I am now the parent of three boys with my wife the lone female in a similar … Continue reading Mothers and sons
Small talk
My day job has been a relentless torrent of small talk the last few weeks. And it’s glorious. For an extrovert like me, good small talk is a renewable and infinite energy source. I readily admit I have the gift of gab, and I feed off of the social interchange. What I find so appealing … Continue reading Small talk
Do you know where your children are?
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?
Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party
I recognize that we have just emerged from a festive season, but in my world, the holidays were just the warm up for some truly historic occasions. Last week we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday, and my dad’s 80th is just around the corner. All of the forethought and planning that have gone into acknowledging … Continue reading Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party
The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2023: Clickbait Edition
Last year I decided to revive the tradition of sending a family Christmas letter. I used the internet sensation that is New South Essays rather than putting ink on paper, and it went viral! Well, not exactly pandemic viral, but literally dozens of people were interested enough in our family’s doin’s to click on the … Continue reading The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2023: Clickbait Edition
Holiday countdown-itis
We’re conditioned from kindergarten to anticipate a significant break from industrious activity at the end of the calendar year. I’m sure you remember those halcyon days when playground conversations focused on what you were going to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas, the construction paper Christmas tree crafts, the classroom Christmas party, the church … Continue reading Holiday countdown-itis
When traditions end
This week the Lilburn Wallaces will gather around our dining room table for a feast of turkey, dressing and all the fixins. I have committed to enjoying this day fully because I don’t know if 2023 will be the last time we enjoy our Thanksgiving this way. Traditions have a way of ending unintentionally or … Continue reading When traditions end
Happy Martyr’s Day
Representations of fatherhood abound in popular culture. From Goofball Dad to All-Powerful Patriarch, Nerdy Science Dad to Rugged Outdoorsman Dad and Cool Dad to Uptight Military Dad, the way fathers are depicted can easily devolve into cliche. Of all the father archetypes, I identify most closely with Martyr Dad. That’s my term for the long-suffering … Continue reading Happy Martyr’s Day
New South Essays 