Reflections of a Freaking Genius

I’ve been threatening the launch of the school for quite some time.   Probably because of my history.   Growing up on a Kansas farm typically means you learn at a young age how to drive something.   I don’t remember what it was I began driving first.   It could have been the go kart my Dad built for us, or the minibike he built for us (Dad was really good at building things).   It could have been one of the tractors that we worked the fields with.   Whatever it was, what began on the long gravel driveways soon went on the road.    I remember learning to drive Dad’s 66 GMC pickup around the farm.   It had no power steering, no power brakes, and a “3 on the column” transmission.   Most people under about 35 probably don’t even have a clue what that is.   Grandpa had a farm on West Street in Wichita, and as he grew older and wasn’t able to continue to work the ground, we would drive one of our tractors up from Clearwater to...

It was right before my oldest son Kyle was going to graduate from high school.   I was sitting in church and the pastor wanted everyone in the group to write a note to the graduating seniors from that church.   My sons were living with their mom at the time, and it wasn’t a weekend that they would be coming to my house.   The note was supposed to contain something we had learned from life that we could pass on to these young men and women as they were being launched out into life as a more or less independent adult.   I thought about it a little bit and began to write down a thought that came to mind.   I can’t even remember what it was, but I’m certain it was quite awesome and would be very memorable and life altering   to one of those students.   I remember thinking what a great idea that was. When I got home that afternoon, I was reflecting on those events, and it dawned on me.   It really came down on me pretty hard.   I had written d...