My grandfather, Mendel Ham, grew up on a farm in rural South Carolina. Racial inequality was rampant in the Deep South during the 1930’s, but one of his best friends was an African-American farm hand. That pretty much sums up my grandfather—the stares and jeers weren’t strong enough to break his spirit. I didn’t know him as a young man, but I try to envision him approaching my grandmother to ask her on their first date. Or, see him as an eighteen-year old marine, serving our country […]
I love NC State football. As a 2004 graduate, I bleed Red & White! Last week, we hosted the #3 Clemson Tigers. The game was televised on ESPN’s Thursday Night Primetime and I was there with 57,000 others cheering on the Pack. State played well, much better than most expected, and as the 3rd quarter was closing, it was only 13-7 in Clemson’s favor. Then it happened. State’s Brian Underwood broke a run around the end and headed down the sideline […]
I love this picture of a ship sailing into the night. I took it while in Maui in 2011. It relates so much to this post. As the ship heads into the darkness, it cannot lose its course. It must keep it. The sun will rise again and light will fill the sky, illuminating the path. Just like this ship, we must not lose our course when the darkness of fear, doubt and insecurity set in. We must stay true […]
G.A.D.D – Golf Attention Deficit Disorder – A disorder causing one to lose attention while golfing. This usually results in restlessness and terrible play. Often causing frustration among all golfers involved. Signs and symptoms usually occur after bad play begins. Signs include searching for lost balls and talking to oneself. In extreme cases, club throwing and foul language may be witnessed. This condition is essentially a result of one wishing a golf course consisted of 11-13 holes rather than 18. […]
Jen wakes up every morning around 4am, and although it’s early, she doesn’t mind, at least she lives at the beach. She gets ready for her day, just like every other day, but then she remembers that today is different. There’s a sadness that will always encompass September 11th for the countless Americans who remember the tragedy of the terrorist attacks of 2001. That is especially the case for Jen. The years have flown by, yet she’s still reminded of […]
My maternal grandmother, Eloise Ham, was raised alongside fourteen brothers and sisters in rural Timmonsville, South Carolina. She learned the value of hard work by caring for her younger siblings and performing her daily duties on the family farm. Tom Brokaw was right when he labeled her and her peers, The Greatest Generation. They taught us the value of an honest day’s work, the necessity for loving our neighbors and what it means to fear God. But the most valuable lessons my grandmother taught me […]
Life is full of influential moments, they happen everyday. There are fewer moments that define who we are. Even making the decision to NOT let a moment define you can, in turn, be a defining moment. These moments are etched into our story as a necessary part of our experience. Can you define your moments? For me, making the decision to move to Florida after college was one of those moments. In hindsight, it changed everything. I want to share […]
We get busy in life. Matt reminds us of why we dedicate ourselves to something other than ourselves.
- Robert Wagnon, CEO, Republic State Mortgage
