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Double bogey = time to contemplate
I'm just back from our biennial family golf trip. 14 of us in total with a 55 year age span including various brothers, cousins and uncles. We went to LA - and then to Vegas - and I'm still alive to tell the tale. I spent a lot of the trip either out of bounds or out of order but when I wasn't in those places I had plenty of time to reflect.
Family is important isn't it? I mean, without a mother and father, none of us would be here. And, whisper it quietly, but I think England has finally realised that the state cannot (and probably shouldn't try to) do everything. Put another way, imagine just how bust Spain would be if the family didn't play such a massive role. Editorial note: We think that is more bust, Ben.
The American Dream
But this isn't about politics. I love my American cousins. They are young, generous of spirit and happy. I mean, one is a bit more downbeat than the rest, one is a bit loud and one is a very lucky golfer (yes, that's you Alex) - but on the whole these guys live life to the full. If people are judged not by "how much they love" but by "how much they are loved by others", then they're clearly doing something right.
Reality check
I look at this happy band of brothers and wonder what lessons I can pass onto my children. How do I get them to the same place - but with better golf swings and maybe a few more cultural pursuits as well?
The real world can come as a harsh reality check for students fresh out of the convivial surroundings of university. Career choice is possibly the most important decision of your life and yet there's an appalling lack of science behind it. Helping your children make "happy" career choices and keeping the team here at MFC happy are two challenges that I spend a lot of time thinking about.
A few thoughts on that next time. Until then, time to concentrate on the bits of my cousins' behaviour I don't want my children following...
Ben Black
