This past weekend was the annual Brown-McKeigue Family Reunion (mom’s side). Each year the group dynamic changes with a few new faces due to births, marriages, significant others,’ etc. and a few absent ones as a result of death, illness, and those who live too far/or work too much to make the trip. This year was no different with plenty of cousins bringing new spouses and children into the fold and too few of the older generations able to make the picnic. All in all, however, we gathered and over a great picnic spread and various water balloon fights were able to reconnect.
I’m also reading Lee Iococa’s book Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, which has provided ample fodder for reflection. In our youth we go off in search of leadership and teachers, often only to return to our roots to recognize and acknowledge our real teachers. It’s pretty clear that we have many teachers throughout our lives, and they all serve in different capacities. Sometimes you get Mr. Miayagi and sometimes you get the R. Lee Ermy (the Drill Instructor) from Full Metal Jacket. Either way we learn something.
James Alexander McKeigue was one of my great teachers. Even though his passing happened early in my life, the lessons that he (and his siblings) imparted on younger generations are timeless. They were taught to my parents, to my brothers and sisters and cousins, and I plan to make sure they are taught to our children.
Uncle Jim’s Reflections: How to Get More Out of Life
1. Keep your priorities.
2. Get a good wife.
3. Get enough education to get a job you enjoy.
4. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.
5. Save your money, then invest it.
6. Live your own life, not someone else’s.
7. Tell those you love that you do.
8. Mind your own business.
9. Count your blessings…often.
10. True friends are few, keep in touch with them.
11. Keep your sense of humor.
Raymond John Schafer, had a similar set of guidelines that he imparted to his son’s and daughters. Though a shorter list, the fundamentals are the same. Grandpa’s three guiding principles were as follows:
1. Be a good husband (spouse)
2. Be a good father (parent)
3. Be a good Catholic (be a person of faith and conscious)
I guess after all the cost of my formal education, travels across North America, and numerous retreats and spiritual advisors – my greatest lessons were learned at home and cost nothing except the time to listen.
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