Nash Stories Volume #48

As an Asian Parent, I’m not sure if I should be admitting this… But, I could honestly care less if any of my kids become Doctors, Lawyers, or whatever prestigious profession you can name.

My only goal ever as a parent was to raise good human beings. Humans who are kind, respectful, and conscious of the world and community that surrounds them. So, when I receive a text like the one I received today, it gives me reassurance that my oldest kid is well on his way towards that goal.

So, here’s the story:

Earlier today, I got a text from a mom of one of Nash’s friends and fellow classmates. The text read,

“Kyle and Lily, you have raised an amazing human. Thank You! My daughter Samantha is sick and Nash brought her chicken soup tonight!”

I had no idea that Nash had done this, so I called him up to find out the details.

“So, Samantha is sick?” I asked.

“Yeah, she’s feeling pretty terrible. We have a project due tomorrow, but she called to tell me that she has a bad cold and won’t be in class. Then I saw the chicken soup we bought at Walmart and thought, when you have a cold, you eat chicken soup!”

“Ha! Exactly Nash! Chicken Soup is good for the soul. And for the common cold!” I replied.

“So, did you just give her the soup in the container?” I asked.

“No, I went over to her dorm building, heated up the soup in the kitchen, and brought it up to her room nice and hot! Oh, and I gave her Skittles too... Cuz if you're gonna be kooked up in your room for a long time, you need Skittles!”

"Ha! I can’t argue that kind of logic! I mean, what sickness can withstand the mighty healing effects of Chicken Soup and Skittles??? I’m proud of you today Nash. Good job!”

“Thanks Dad”.

Thus ending our little story…

Look, I know this is a silly little nothing story of small kindness. But, it is my belief that more often than not, your true character is revealed through your smallest actions, not your biggest. "Who you are as a person" is better determined by the humble kindnesses of your heart, and not the grand gestures from your hands.

Nash is currently a freshman at Whitman College. And he currently has no idea what he wants to do in life or what his major might be. But here’s what I do know:

That dorky kid I sent off to college did well today. He paid attention. He was intentional. He not only saw others, he met their needs with the meager resources he had. He was kind. He was thoughtful. He brought Skittles.

Today, Nash proved that he just might be a good human (in training anyway). 😁✌️

Nash Stories Volume #47

As a doting parent, it’s always a good day whenever your kid calls home from college. So, today, Nash calls me up and says “Dad, I ended up in a situation today, and I wanted to ask your opinion to see if I handled it the right way.” I say “Sure Nash. Shoot…”

Nash goes on to tell me that he was having a conversation with a friend (let’s just call him Billy), when Billy breaks down and starts sobbing inconsolably. Billy then describes to Nash the situation and why he’s crying…

And this is the reason for the phone call and Nash’s explanation to me, “Dad, at first, I didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know what to say. I had no answers. No advice to give… Then, I remembered this from our talks. You’ve always told me to ‘Just Listen. Just Be There.' So that’s what I did.”

Nash continues explaining, “I didn’t tell him that ‘I understand’ or offer some made up advice. And I didn’t tell him a similar story that I had experienced one time... I just sat there and listened to him talk. I told him that I am there for him. And will continue to be there for him if he wants to talk further.”

“So Dad. Did I do OK? Maybe I should have done more.”

At this point, I couldn’t be prouder of my son... I said “Nash, you get an A+. There is no more that you could have reasonably done. In fact, you handled it better than 90 percent of full grown adults would have. Most adults would have started pontificating with lame advice or relate a similar story that shifts the focus onto them and not the person in need. But you played it perfectly. You quickly realized that you could not fix their situation, and that the best thing you could do for them is to “Just Listen. Just Be There. And Be A Friend”

“Dude. A+... You were right there for a friend in need. And that person is the better for it. I could have done No Better than what you did today. Well done Nash. Well done...”

Nash is currently 2 months into his freshman year at Whitman College. And from the looks of it, he seems to be doing just fine…

Brand New Friend

As some of you know, I love making new friends. This is my new friend Geidy. It's pronounced "Heidi," but it's actually spelled G-E-I-D-Y. 👍

Here's the story: I'm currently chilling in the park waiting for my car to be serviced. There are 3 picnic tables to choose where I'm at, but Geidy plops right down at my table with me! 😁

There is no doubt in my mind that Geidy wants to chat. So, I lob in a remark about the weather and off to the races we go!!! 🤣 Geidy tells me that she walks her grandson Joshua to and from school every day, even when it's a 100+ degrees like it is today! Geidy is 73! I tell her that she looks happy and healthy. And she goes on to tell me how many broken bones she's had in both arms, leg and lower back. She's had her pancreas and spleen removed, she has osteoporosis and other diagnoses she could only explain in Spanish, as I nod emphatically while pretending I understand what she's saying! 😆

Geidy says, "Do you know San Marino?" I say "Of course! I live there!" She goes on to tell me that she has been babysitting San Marino kids for 35 years as her job. I absolutely bet that I know some of the kids that went through Geidy's caring hands. Geidy tells me that she loves kids. But she needn't say a word. That much was apparent within the first 5 seconds of our conversation.

Geidy has a smile that warms any room, house, or playground. I felt at ease immediately. Geidy talked a lot... But she also listened and cared about what I had to say too.

Geidy comes to this park every day. And this park is well within Onewheel range. I think I'll have another date with my friend Geidy soon. I want to hear about her 3 other grandchildren from Murietta and Sarasota Florida.

This is not a Kyle story. This is a "Geidy Story" because Geidy took the time out of her day to greet ME, and not the other way around. To have a stranger walk up and greet ME, blesses my heart and makes me feel seen.

"Thank You Geidy!" I hope to see your smile again soon... ❤️

Anybody Else?

Is this anybody else?

Over the last 2 years or so, I feel like I’ve lost myself a little bit. Oh, I’m still ME, but this current version of ME is… Not as happy. Not as focused. Not as passionate. Not as gracious. 

There’s no question that Covid-19 has changed our world as we all huddled into corners to save ourselves. But there’s also no question that in that same span of 2 years, WE ourselves have significantly changed.

I didn’t quite realize it at first. I mistook my struggles for malaise or “the blahs”. I lived out my “Gray-ish World” where food didn’t taste quite as tasty. Where thrills weren’t quite as thrilling. And vanilla tasted like.  Well, Vanilla… In addition, I rarely dressed up in my finer clothes. What reason was there for me to do that??? And to add further insult, I had picked up the dreaded "Quarantine 15” pounds that so many of us did during Covid. To put it simply, the Kyle staring back at me in the mirror, was still ME, but lacking in most every way…

Which brings me to today. Today, I’m on the road to recovery, but also self discovery. I’m actively on the lookout for my next adventure and mountain to climb. The spirit of complacency has worn out its welcome. The Quarantine 15 has now left the building and won’t be returning anytime soon. Going forward, I have a new health and workout plan to keep me on track. I have friends and a good support system that encourages me daily towards brighter days.

Wherever you find yourself, there is never a time that is deemed “too late”. Never a point in your journey that is too far to come back from. The answers to life are always much simpler than we make them out to be. If you don’t like where you’re at, simply “Stop what you’re doing. Breathe. And take stock.” Figure out where you are. Where you want to be. And what matters to you most. Start there. With any luck, some amount of clarity will eventually find you.

If you find yourself feeling “stuck” or don’t recognize the person staring back at you, please feel free to DM me if you would like to chat. I’m here for it. I’m here for anyone looking to make a change and move in a positive direction. Life is better in community y’all. And like Dear Evan Hansen said, “We are not alone…”