Are you making memories with those you love?

Before I share some of my favorite memories with my family, let me share some of my week serving as mayor of the best small town in America.

Teachers step up day after day to educate the next generation. Some topics are more difficult than others to explain. When it comes to the topic of the electoral college, though, I believe Emerson Elementary School has one of the best approaches I have seen.

They read the book “Grace for President” by Kelly DiPucchio. In the book, it is explained how each state gets electoral votes based on the population and that a candidate needs 270 votes to become the president. It does a good job of touching on several areas of campaigning.

Then as they are coming up on the election, they invite me in to share a little about my job and give me a chance to chat with the future leaders of our community.

As pictures of our conversation went up on the ClassDojo, I had a parent send me a picture with his youngest. I shared that one of my favorite parts of my role in the community is talking with the kids. He reminded me it has always been even back to my days at Bikers World when I was a teenager myself.

For that reminder, I have to say thank you, Will, because I really hadn’t thought about it, but you are correct. I have always wanted to better prepare our youth for the future because they are our future as a community.

After the second city council meeting each month, Radio 96.3 gives me a chance to come and share what is going on in our city. Becky Schepman and I try to share as much as possible about the last month for those that may not read these updates or read The Tribune. Don’t forget to tune in at 9 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of May and beyond to 96.3. I would be remiss if I didn’t also share that Curt Nichols with 99.3 has me out on the second Tuesday each month, as well.

Making memories is something that we all take for granted. We believe we have all the time in the world and don’t always get it done.

Earlier, I mentioned back when I worked at Bikers World. While I was there, my first daughter was born. I was blessed with a great family that watched her most days of the week and even more blessed with a boss that told me I would be taking Tuesday afternoons off so I could watch her myself.

As she grew and we started getting out of the house more, we developed a weekly tradition of lunch. As time went by, my like for McDonald’s dimmed as it was her weekly choice. One Tuesday, I told her we were going to Larrison’s Diner.

As we sat at the counter, Kevin Larrison slid an octodog across the counter to her. She quickly, in her best preschool attitude, informed him she did not order that. He smiled and told her he made it special for her and it was free of charge. That octodog landed us at Larrison’s every week for many years to come, a tradition that continued through all three of my daughters and still continues today in a slightly different version.

Now as the last one is headed to high school this fall, we have transitioned to Friday morning breakfast. Some weeks, we can’t all make it, but we have a good time with whoever is available. We even let Zabrina join us when she is off work.

I encourage everyone to find your little things as a family because they will someday be the big memories you look back on and cherish the most. I believe American martial artist Ed Parker is correct when he said, “Time and space may separate us, but not the thoughts and memories that bind us.”