High-Fives, Wordle on TV & Passing the Baton

1. WORDLE on TV

NBC is turning Wordle into a primetime TV game show hosted by Savannah Guthrie. My daughter and I may have to pursue this, especially if speed is involved. Wish us luck.

2. Mother’s Day Texts

Another funny compilation of teen texts from The Leighton Show. As a dad to four teens, I can confirm the authenticity.

3. The Power of High-Fives

A UC Berkeley study, “Tactile Communication, Cooperation, and Performance: An Ethological Study of the NBA,” found that NBA teams with higher rates of physical touch — high-fives, fist bumps, back pats — early in the season performed better and cooperated more over time. As an avowed high-fiver, I consider this scientific affirmation. Coaches and parents: distribute them freely!

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” — William James

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” — Clarence Budington Kelland

Passing the Baton

My dad was a lifelong custodian. He’d say things like, “Study hard so you don’t have to push a broom like me for the rest of your life.” Don’t get me wrong. He was perfectly happy doing it. A simple man who loved his family and did whatever it took to provide for them.

But underneath that sentiment was a quiet hope: I want my kids to do better than me. Better financially. Maybe a job that uses more brain than back.

By those measures, I think he’d say I’ve done that. He’s proud of me, and I reckon he holds zero ego about it.

Welp. He’s a better man than I am.

Because this past week, my oldest — who graduates Saturday with a higher GPA and SAT score than I ever managed and is headed to a better-ranked college (Go Jackets!) — finally ran a faster 300-meter hurdle time than my personal best to qualify for the state track meet.

And I’m supposed to be happy about this?

Well . . . apparently, yes.

I’ll embarrassingly admit my initial reaction involved some world-class mental gymnastics:

Better genes.

Better shoes.

His dad owns a gym, so he can train anytime.

I ran on a cinder track. (Not actually sure this is even true.)

Has there ever been a bigger silver platter? 😄

But eventually you get a grip. You realize this is, in fact, the whole point.

Good parenting is supposed to produce kids who surpass you. Not just financially or athletically, but in opportunity, confidence, wisdom, and character too.

My dad understood that before I did.

Maybe parenting is one of the only jobs where success eventually looks like passing the baton . . . and then cheering like crazy as it disappears into the distance ahead of you.