Teachable Moments…
My wife and I are not Blessed to have children of our own. This could have left a huge hole in our life but God works in mysterious ways and we ended up all-but raising our niece from the age of about toddler up… Some years later, we received a call from family in Spain and agreed to take on two adolescent nephews. Two of the three now have children of their own and I couldn’t be prouder of them all.
I mention this because I am reminded of a series of events that occurred when my niece was not quite a teenager. I have always had a special relationship with her and was even named godfather of her first child. I’m sure every parent has special memories and bonding moments and I suppose this would be no different…
She was upset at her teacher. Something had happened at school that day and her anger and tears were getting the better of her. Of course, I asked what was wrong… she knew I wasn’t a fan of continued waterworks so, as she stood and bravely tried to wipe tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, she explained. After listening carefully, I kneeled down so I could be at eye level and softly explained that life wasn’t fair, but she would be ok. For whatever reason, my words weren’t as calming as usual, or perhaps the situation at hand was much more important to her than usual, but her eyes watered up again and in deep sobs that bared the agony in her soul she told me her teacher was against her – everyone was against her…
I looked her straight in the eye and said, “Dear, I am always on your side.” She almost instantly lunged at me and hugged me with all her might. For as long as I live, I will never forget the love that was shared in that moment.
As important as that memory is for me, it is not the point of my story. You see, about a week later she found herself in an argument with her mother and my wife… which resulted in her being grounded. I know this because, with as much indignation as a little girl can muster, she marched up to me and pleaded her case (no doubt hoping to have her punishment overturned). When she realized I wouldn’t (and I’m not the higher authority in my family anyway) she was shocked! She stumbled for words and then exclaimed, “But you said you were always on my side!”
I’ll admit it… I laughed. Probably deeply, based on the astonished look on her face. I explained that of course I was always on her side, that of course I will always love her… but, that doesn’t mean I will always think she’s right!
I’d like to think she learned something from that situation and judging from how well she is mothering her children I know she learned a lot of lessons well (mostly due to my incredible wife, no doubt).
Teachable Moments…
We are living in tumultuous times and there are a lot of Americans in their first decade or two of adulthood who have been indoctrinated in all the wrong things. When it comes to how our government works, many are as naïve as any 12-year-old girl.
We have a new Congress that, for the first time in decades, looks to actually fight back against the inertia of the Administrative State. They seem determined to ignore the media and actually debate, fight, investigate, and illuminate the problems of our country and discover real solutions.
What an opportunity to wake up millions!
There will be many who do not understand this process. There will be many convinced the Republicans are being mean or unfair. Many, maybe most, will find it difficult to believe the atrocities uncovered in the investigations. A lot of people are going to be shocked to learn they are each $250,000 in debt but just didn’t realize it – that the kind-speaking politicians have been stealing their money for decades and transferring it to the global ‘elite’ (and no, there will be no debt forgiveness). They are going to be shocked to learn that life isn’t fair and there really are people out there (and institutions) who wish to impoverish and destroy them just because they are Americans. They will need help to understand that confrontation is not inherently bad and that our legislative process was designed for conflict; that open, transparent, and controlled conflict is the check and balance that prevents our futures from being secretly decided in back rooms by those who do not care a wit about us. They will need to be guided into the understanding, and then appreciation, of why a Representative Republic and a Capitalist monetary system have produced the freest, fairest, and richest society that planet Earth has ever known.
These are the years of Political Revelation…
It will be tempting to say, “I told you so.” It will be tempting to ridicule and hold grudges. If, however, we want our awakening ‘children’ to grow up into a responsible society, I have a few suggestions…
Always be willing to ask what is wrong and listen carefully to the answers. Don’t preach, but find the right moment to explain what is happening. If they are upset, calm them with understanding, empathy, and acceptance before educating. Be sincere. Look them in the eye (you can be direct) and let them see your confidence and compassion. Don’t be afraid to use humor, but make sure they understand you are not laughing at them. Allow them to see your genuine love of country and be prepared to explain it. Perhaps most of all, make sure they understand you are both fellow Americans and you are always on their side.
StressFreeBill
As always, our Friday editions include a joke and a recipe - have a great weekend!
STUPID JOKE of the WEEK
A guy goes in for a job interview and sits down with the boss.
The boss asks him, “What do you think is your worst quality?”
The man says “I’m probably too honest.”
The boss says, “That’s not a bad thing, I think being honest is a good quality.”
The man replies, “I don’t care about what you think!”
Want something different? You’ve gotta try this! If you have trouble sourcing the ingredients, go HERE to have them delivered (Unfortunately, I make no commission on this recommendation… sigh…)
And now, for something a little different…
RECIPE: CLASSIC SURF AND TURF: FILET MIGNON AND LOBSTER TAIL TOPPED WITH BACON BITS
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
We like to experiment. My wife and I get a kick out of trying something new, experimenting, and enjoying a new creation (or, laughing at how terribly we messed up)! This recipe is more on the safer side of things…
INGREDIENTS
Filet Mignon - Center Cut
QTY 2
Bacon Slices, diced ¼”
QTY 2
Coarse Sea Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
Olive Oil
QTY 2 Tbsp.
North Atlantic Lobster Tails, cut in half
QTY 2
Juice of 1/2 lemon
QTY 1/2
Grape tomatoes
QTY 6-9
Parsley for garnish
Unsalted Butter, room temperature
QTY 4 oz.
Fresh chopped herbs (Tarragon, Chives, Parsley)
QTY 2 Tbsp
Garlic Cloves, minced
QTY 2
Curry powder
QTY ½ tsp
COOKING
DIRECTIONS
Flavored Butter: In a small bowl, beat butter until light and airy. Add ingredients for flavored butter and mix. Place in a plastic wrap and roll into a cylinder twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate until ready-to- use.
Preheat oven at 375F. Season the filet mignons and the lobster tails with salt and pepper.
Sauté bacon over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
In fat rendered by bacon, sear the filet mignons 1 ½ minutes per side. Place filet mignons in a sheet pan and roast for 3-4 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 125 F for medium rare. Place a teaspoon of the herb butter on top and cover with foil to let rest.
Sauté the lobster tails over medium heat with a tablespoon of herb butter.
Cook for 1-2 minutes and flip on its shell. Add lemon juice and tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Serve filet mignon on a plate with grape tomatoes on top, bacon bits and parlsey as garnish, Place lobster tails next to filet mignon.
StressFreeBill founded an organization that is fighting to educate Republicans nationwide about reforming the Republican party and putting America first. To learn more about PRC, please watch this podcast episode.
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