On this Father's Day 2020, I thought I might share a reflection about my Dad. A couple of weeks before my Dad passed away in August of 2005, I had the opportunity to sit with him in his hospital room and talk, one-on-one. We talked about his health, about family, and about faith. He … Continue reading The Most Successful Man I Ever Knew
Author: Buddy McElhannon
Grandfather (aka Poppy) Extraordinaire. Golfer. Writer. I Like Chick-Fil-A. Georgia Tech Grad
The Varsity P.C. Blues
The end is near! The apocalypse is upon us! Another pandemic? No. More civil unrest? No. A giant meteor approaching earth? No. The AJC (Atlanta Journal and Constitution newspaper) announced on June 11th that “P.C.” is no more. Unfortunately, they are not referring to the term “Politically Correct.” They reported that the Varsity, Atlanta’s iconic … Continue reading The Varsity P.C. Blues
Retirement 103 – Can A Marriage Survive the Retirement Years?
It was 1999, and my wife (Tootie) and I were looking forward to retirement. At 48, all five of our children had left home. Though our golden years were still over a decade away, our nest was empty, and we relished the next season of “our time.” For some couples, the empty nest season may … Continue reading Retirement 103 – Can A Marriage Survive the Retirement Years?
Adorning the Dark
In a year known for its unexpected events, there is one certainty, 2020 will be a year remembered primarily as the Year of the Pandemic when life became more about surviving than living. How much longer this lasts remains to be seen. We yearn to return to normal. Or, as one Facebook post shouted: “2020 … Continue reading Adorning the Dark
Big Sexy Hair
It started as an innocent conversation. One of those typical dialogues a mother might have with an inquisitive, very bright for his age, six-year-old. Answering the first grader’s incessant questions had become a primary role for his parents. Now, as mom worked on getting her hair ready for a rare evening out with her husband, … Continue reading Big Sexy Hair
Names Worth Remembering
Some places conjure up more than pleasant vacation memories. They trigger emotions, prompting a momentary pause to reflect, to reminisce, to remember. These places have names, names that are more than a geographic spot on a map, names that echo across time. Names that might or should cause us to pause, to bow your head, … Continue reading Names Worth Remembering
Supper’s Ready
The power of words to change hearts is something I will never fully understand. Appreciate? Yes. Understand? No. A certain survey asked Americans what they longed to hear someone say to them. Three answers stood out. The first one is no surprise. “I love you.” The second one you might have guessed. “I forgive you.” … Continue reading Supper’s Ready
A Moment of Truth
A Moment of Truth is a phrase that may conjure up different scenarios in your mind. For me, it triggers thoughts about customer service. Over thirty years ago, I read a book titled Moments of Truth by Jan Carlzon, then President of Scandinavian Airlines. Carlzon saw every customer interaction as a moment in time that … Continue reading A Moment of Truth
A Real Superhero
What is it with children and superheroes? It has become a normal, if not natural part of childhood to become fascinated with mythological caped crusaders who lead exemplary lives, fight evil, and seek to save the world. Who from my generation cannot remember the opening line from a popular television series of the 1950s — … Continue reading A Real Superhero
God Helps Those Who…
There are a number of enduring images I will remember from the Pandemic of 2020 — Healthcare workers wearing their full-body protective gear, people wearing gloves and homemade face-masks as if they were normal wardrobe attire, and empty grocery store shelves void of certain items like beef, chicken, Lysol spray, and, of course, toilet paper. … Continue reading God Helps Those Who…
