“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.”

To be honest, this is a tough one for me. I’ve never been comfortable with the word “proud.” Pride, in my eyes, can be dangerous. It can so easily turn into arrogance, or blind a person into thinking they are entirely self-made. And I know enough about life to realize that none of us get here on our own. Every step I’ve taken has been guided, helped, or carried by someone else—family, friends, mentors, and above all, God.

So instead of thinking of pride in the usual sense, I think of gratitude. What am I most grateful for that also fills me with a quiet sense of fulfillment?

My Family Legacy

At the top of that list is my family. If you ask me what gives me the deepest sense of meaning, it’s not an accomplishment, not a title, not the things I’ve bought or sold—it’s my role as a husband, father, and grandfather. Marmee and I have been married for over half a century, and together we raised three daughters who became remarkable women. Watching them build their own families, guiding their children, and living out their values—that’s something no award or paycheck could ever match.

My seven grandchildren bring me a kind of joy that’s hard to put into words. They are my legacy, and my time with them—teaching, praising, sharing stories, or just being “Beebop”—those are the moments I carry with me. If I’ve done anything right in this life, it’s helping to shape their futures in some small way.

Resilience Through Hard Times

I’m also quietly grateful for the times I didn’t give up. Life has thrown me more than a few curveballs: health challenges, financial pressures, sleepless nights, moments when everything seemed stacked against me. But I endured. I found ways to adapt. I found meaning in struggle, and even the darkest seasons taught me something that made me stronger. Surviving isn’t glamorous, but it leaves you with a steady kind of strength—one that whispers, “You made it through.”

The Work of My Hands

Another thing that gives me satisfaction is the work of my hands. From my decades in retail management, to running my own businesses, to flipping properties, to selling antiques and art—it’s all been part of a journey where I learned, adapted, and created something lasting. I’ve worked hard, and I’ve always tried to do things with integrity. That matters more to me than pride.

A Better Word Than Pride

So maybe “proud” isn’t the word I’d use. Instead, I’d say I’m thankful—thankful for the family I’ve built, the people I’ve influenced, the struggles I’ve overcome, and the life I’ve been blessed to live.

Pride can puff up, but gratitude grounds you. And I’d rather stand on the solid ground of gratitude any day.