This might be a bit long but I have to share. A couple months ago I met with a few paving contractors (actually their salesmen). One of them (let’s call him Chief), an elderly man, in poor health with difficulty speaking came by, measured, gave me the lowest quote and left. He came across as trustworthy. In all my recent dealings I look for integrity and trustworthiness above all…

How soon can you begin exposing children to fine arts? I feel it is never too early to let them experience and often re-experience the beautiful in life created by others. As we visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston again this weekend, I was reminded how powerful art can be in helping us live beyond our daily routines and struggles. Art is a special nourishment for the mind and the soul. I believe it is required for normal growth, development and maintenance of the human mind…

At dinner, I mentioned that I had sent e-mails to our Senator and our Congressman about the economy expressing my concern regarding the enormous proposed bailout package. I didn’t even notice how attentively my almost 6-year-old son was listening to what I was saying until he started trying to articulate in his words what he had understood. Noticing that he needed help understanding what I had just said in grown-up speak, I tried to explain. Here’s what I said…

“Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name.” ~ William Wordsworth
My father has been helping me fix up a few things at the house over the past few weekends. The ride there is about forty minutes. I’m sure in hindsight these will be some of the most special times of my life. When we get into the car, we are not yet tired and talk about interesting topics, our mother, life in general, world politics, his life, real estate, anything and everything. Yesterday I noticed that I …

 
I had to serve in a jury yesterday and was deeply moved by the experience. The process lasted one day but taught me much about our system of government, about the people who run the court system, about the process, and about myself and others. I want to share some of these thoughts in case you find them interesting.
Fulfillment of my civic responsibility made me appreciate the system far more than I expected. The dignity and respect with which the defendant, the attorneys, the judge and the jury were treated …