I’d Love to Dream…

It’s only Tuesday, and this week has already been packed with all sorts of events. New president, A National Holiday, Big Football games, and I’m writing this post waiting for a snowstorm to hit my normally sunny southern town. An occurrence that seems to mirror the unusual juxtaposition of everything lately.

The national championship game for football was a highlight for me. The Ohio State University brought home the win, and while I’m not a Buckeye alum, I’ve always rooted for them. Growing up in Ohio, I didn’t have a team attached to my school and so I went with the home favorites. It was a laid-back evening with nachos, chili, and some much-needed family time. The time with my family I am learning to value more and more each day. To be here and present within it has been my greatest treasure. Sobriety has helped shape that outlook for me.

The day wasn’t just about football. It was nice to have something so relaxing after the first part of the day. Monday marked a day to celebrate an incredible man with a legacy that transcends generations, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His message of unity, equality, and hope remains as powerful today as ever. It’s ironic, though, to honor someone whose life was devoted to bringing people together while watching the stark divisions that plague our present.

I can’t ignore the backdrop this provided for the ushering in of the 47th President. The inauguration of President Trump, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day felt like a cosmic joke. On one hand, a holiday honoring a man who dreamed of unity and judging people by the content of their character. On the other, a leader whose actions often feel like the antithesis of that dream. From pardoning insurrectionists to defying traditions of respect, it’s hard to feel optimistic about the road ahead. That was just Day one.

It’s disheartening. The hope that we might one day truly live up to the ideals of equality and justice seems to slip further from reach. The content of our souls, the very thing Dr. King wanted us to value, feels like it matters less and less. Politics is riddled with selfishness, dishonesty, and a refusal to change. Those who stand up for what’s right are stifled, punished, or silenced. Dr. King paid the ultimate price for daring to disrupt the status quo.

Maybe my perspective on the world is flawed. Perhaps it is more cynical than it should be. I don’t have it all figured out, but I believe we’re mostly just trying to do our best. We’re all chasing happiness, whether it’s through family, food, or comradery. And as long as we’re not standing in the way of someone else’s happiness, I think we’re doing okay. As I spent the day with my sons, I couldn’t help but hope for what they’ll become.

The words “all men are created equal” carry so much weight, yet we still fall short of living them out. A Comedian and Podcaster I admire, Dan Cummins, often says: Be team meat sack. more simply, be the kind of human you’d want to meet in the world. Treat others well, give people the space to thrive, and do your best to make life a little better for everyone you touch. That’s what I want for my boys. I want them to know it matters what they say and do. Men who push the net positive in the world higher than what they take. Men who will treat others with dignity and respect, even when the world doesn’t want to give it to all. I may not have the platform of a great leader, and my voice may not echo across ages, but I can be a strong voice for two future men. And maybe, just maybe, enough parents go the right route, that small contribution will be enough to make a difference.

Two little guys at a time.

K