Love The One You're With

OK… I must officially be an old fart now. I always fathomed myself as one of the hippest dads around. When the kids went through the skater rock phase I was right there with them listening to the likes of Linkin Park, System Of A Down, etc. Being an Oaktown Boy it’s right up my alley to Lean wit it and rock wit it, or Party in Da Club with 50 Cent during their current rap phase.

But one thing that drives me nuts about the new generation of teenagers is that they can’t seem to follow the famous words of Crosby, Stills, and Nash…and “love the one they’re with”

I’ll bet miss manners would have a field day with this topic, but it’s clear when observing today’s youth, that it’s never about really being “present” with the people you’re physically with. It’s all about who’s on the other end of the cell phone, crackberry or AIM session.

I refer to it as a generation gap, but who’d they really learn it from? They learned it from us! In today’s business world, the name of the game continues to be productivity increases. That’s what continues to fuel our massive economy and keep things afloat even when other economic fundamentals are in trouble.

Who hasn’t been to lunch with a friend or colleague only to feel like you’re playing second fiddle to a 2”x 4” device? All I can say and plead with you to do is turn the damn thing off. Give the poor thing a break every once in a while. Be “present” and love the one you’re with!

Spending more time with family and friends

It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day hassles of life that it sometimes seems like a chore to organize get-togethers with family and friends. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had the good fortune of other people being proactive about organizing gatherings. Whether it’s an ALS Walk, an afternoon sailing on the bay or just a simple dinner, it has left me wondering why I lost sight of this and didn’t make it more of a priority in the past. It’s definitely worth the time invested to stay in touch and spend time with those people that enrich your lives.

Fundraising Fanatics!

WOW! I am absolutely amazed by the turn out and support that Team DD Defeat received at the ALS Walk in Oakland. More than 50 people walked in my honor and raised close to $30,000 to fund ALS Research. What an incredible feeling! Thanks Mom, for being the team lead.

While the Oakland walk was the largest, I’ve also had people walking in my honor all across the country from Chicago to Denver. Thanks so much Jody Bartlett and Team from Chicago and Dawn Tieken and Kelly Mark and team from Denver for your incredible continued support. You really are making a difference!

My sister Ramey along with Julie Rutherford, Kelly Mark, Christie Schenone and so many other people are coordinating a golf tournament in my honor to be held October 23rd at beautiful Moraga Country Club. Thanks in advance for all of your efforts. It’s shaping up to be a great event.

Information and a sign-up sheet will be posted to the http://www.darrendent.com website shortly.

Cheers!

DD (NGU)