Heartbreak. Tragedy. Unthinkable. Those are the words that come to me when I try to wrap my mind around Monday's devastating crash that killed four North Dakota State University freshmen.
Heartbreak. Tragedy. Unthinkable. Those are the words that come to me when I try to wrap my mind around Monday's devastating crash that killed four North Dakota State University freshmen.
I like to think of myself as someone who is generally easygoing. There are, however, a few things that come to mind that really get under my skin:
A cigarette thrown out of a car window.
Negativity.
Cheating.
Last weekend I was with my kids and friends at a hotel. My kids wanted something they had left in the car and asked if they could go get it. I gave them the keys and sent them on their way. One girlfriend about fell over, incredulous that I would allow that. I simply said: "They have to learn to do for themselves."
Conference, state and national tournaments are being contested and make for a wonderful time for sports fans. The games will be full of sweat and excitement, success and failure and, increasingly, personal drama.
We've spent much of this past week outdoors going for walks, bike rides and climbing trees. My kids are able to be outside in shorts; I've cleaned the garage and even taken a nap in sunny 70 degree weather. It's hard to believe a year ago the city was distributing 3 million sandbags around Fargo.
Facebook. Some people love it, some people hate it. Regardless of your personal viewpoint, Facebook does have some redeeming value.
It seems there is a holiday for just about any occasion, and last week was National Siblings Day. This was the first I had heard of this special day, perhaps because I am someone who does not have any brothers or sisters.
I have learned many meaningful lessons through the years, from my parents and through personal experience. I can think of few that are as important as developing sound manners.
My mom is a beautiful woman, inside and out.
She is the oldest of four children and was raised in the Twin Cities. She was homecoming queen and a cheerleader, and went to prom with a boy she started dating in sixth grade. Years later, she married that boy, and he became my dad.
I had the honor of being the keynote speaker and spending last Monday evening with more than 200 GoFarCharity Team members at their annual pre-marathon banquet. These are the folks who not only run or walk one of the events in the marathon but also raise money for local charities.
It was the only time I couldn't finish reading a story while anchoring the news.
Growing up as an only child I would sometimes be asked the unintentionally insensitive question, "Did your dad ever want a son?"
If you have lived in the Red River Valley for any amount of time you know the uneasy feeling that comes with the spring snowmelt or severe rains. The water comes; we keep vigil over our sump pumps, and wait. The levels steadily rise, wreak havoc and eventually recede.
This is it. My first column as a 40-year-old. As the day approached I had a mixed sense of dread and excitement.