U2 IN VEGAS WITH OLD FRIENDS (THE BEST KIND)

I have never had a lot of friends, but I have been fortunate to have had very deep relationships with the friends I have had. My medical school years were no exception, and I am still very close to several friends from that time in my life, whom I have known for almost 30 years. 

This past fall, one of them suggested we meet up in Las Vegas where U2 was playing a residence at the new performance space, the Sphere. 

Once the idea was throw out there, we all leaped at the opportunity! In fact, the title of this post is taken from the name of the text thread we set up to coordinate our trip, and it is indeed an apt description for that momentous weekend!

Last weekend, we all met up for music, meals, and a lot of meaning - reminding ourselves that our lives are more than just the stresses and challenges we face. Our lives are the totality of our existences, and we have so much to be grateful for.

I did not know how much I needed that weekend until it was over. I will carry the memories we made and all the memories from 30 years of knowing these old souls with them, including the smile on my face while this random stranger photobombed this picture on the Las Vegas Deuce bus!

As U2 frontman Bono sings in his song, "One, "We are one, but we are not the same. We get to carry each other, carry each other."

DROPPING DIMES

Cate first started playing baseketball on her middle school team last year and had a breakout season as point guard. I guess it should not have been a surprise then that she made the varsity basketball team at Greenhills as a freshman.

Leading up to the season, Cate had the same single-minded focus she applies to soccer. Indeed, many mornings when we went to the gym to work out, Cate was shooting baskets and working on her game. Her practice has paid off, and she is having a great season so far as the starting point guard for her team. 

Like in soccer, her mentality is not "shoot first." Rather, she looks for ways to help others score and is focused on finding that perfect pass. There is a term for that kind of assist. In basketball lingo, it is called a "dime" as in 10/10, and Cate has been dropping those 10 spots all season. I can't wait to get back from break and watch her take the court again. Go Hills!

THE GREATEST LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK

This weekend I was in Syracuse for Parents' Weekend visiting Nicholas. It was fortunately a short flight, and I was able to quickly pick up my rental car and head to Day Hall to pick Nicholas up for the weekend.

He elected to stay with me so he could "have a full size bed and shower without his shoes." Who am I to argue with that, and fortunately my room had 2 big queen beds!

I have been impressed with so many ways that Nicholas has handled the challenges of the past two months. He has dealt with two credit card hacks, set up his 401K, and deftly navigated being an 18 year-old living away from home with a stranger for the first time in his life while taking 17 hours of classes ranging from communications to philosophy to history. On top of that, he has become very active in the many broadcasting outlets and the school newspaper, the Daily Orange, where he published his first piece!

Visiting him and seeing him this weekend made me realize just how much Nicholas has grown and what a good head he has on his shoulders. He has not been followed the herd and engaging in drinking and drugs. Rather, he seems content to spend time on his own reading the Atlantic or watching sports events through our streaming platforms to which he still has access. He is a resolute and focused young man, and I am in awe of his discipline and drive to learn and master the craft he has chosen to pursue.

During this visit, we spent a good deal of time exploring Syracuse. We went to a local food hall called the Salt City Market three times! Each visit did not disappoint. 

We took in Syracuse football pre-game festivities on the Quad and had yummy pizza. If only the game, and our view of the field had been as good! See below.

On Saturday, we went to a few campus events, including a Q/A with the Newhouse Dean and a tour of South Campus where approximately 50% of sophomores end up. We had another great lunch at Salt City and then had some downtime before heading to a great thai place called Lemongrass. It was one of the best meals of my life, but I think the company had as much to do with it as the food!

Afterwards, it was back to Salt City for dessert, pumpkin pie and banana nutella cake! We then took in another Syracuse landmark, the Destiny USA Mall, New York's biggest shopping mall. It was big but otherwise forgettable. We ended the night watching Michigan defeat Purdue on TV and enjoyed an extra hour of sleep for daylight savings time.

On our last day together, we headed to Lake Onondaga, a true "finger" lake and then went out to breakfast at Water Street Bagel Company for breakfast sandwiches and then a wonderful bakery called The Sweet Praxis for amazing vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and a turmeric flavored drink called the Golden Oat! We then headed back to the hotel for a little Chiefs-Dolphins, and then I dropped Nicholas off at his dorm.

What a weekend with an amazing young man!

Simon and Garfunkel wrote about "The Only Living Boy in New York." However, Nicholas, you are truly the greatest living boy in New York! I miss you and cannot wait to see you at Thanksgiving in a few weeks. Love you, son!

UP NORTH

Nicholas was back this month, and so we decided to head "Up North" to northern Michigan for a few days. We decided on Petoskey at the recommendation of the novelist Ann Patchett, who has spent quite a bit of time in that area.

It was a 3.5 hour drive, but the company in the car with Kathleen and the kids made the drive go by quickly. We took in the sights in Petoskey on a cold, rainy first day. We had soft pretzels, bought candy, and stopped by one of Ms. Patchett's favorite independent bookstores, McLean and Eakin.

We had a wonderful supper in town and then retired to the hotel for a nice night in comfy beds.

The next day we had an amazing brunch at the aptly named Maple and Batter complete with pumpkin pancakes of course!

Then, we went on a beautiful hike outside Charlevoix to witness the fall colors. It was breathtaking!

We'll cherish this weekend until the next family vacation!

GRACIOUS

"Hidden Brain" is one of my favorite podcasts, and I always enjoy the new insights on psychology or behavioral economics that the guests share. This week's episode focused on gratitude was particularly good.

I have always thought of myself as a grateful person, and I try to express my gratitude generously. The psychologist Thomas Gilovich from Cornell expounded upon the many ways gratitude can be a positive force in life. Indeed, we seem to derive joy from receiving gratitude from others and bestowing gratitude on others. Moreover, witnessing others express gratitude to other people is also life-affirming for us. This speaks with how important kindness and truly seeing and appreciating people are - especially in today's culture riven by animas and enmity.

I am grateful for so many things in life - far too many to list here - but especially my family, my friends, my career calling, and my health. These are not things to be taken for granted, and I will try to remember to be gracious during my good days and my bad!

SWEET 15!

Recently, Cate turned 15! Yes, 15! It is hard to believe that we have had 15 years with this sweet child. She has grown to become an independent, driven, and focused young woman, and we could not be more proud of her.

There is quite a bit of nurture in addition to nature when it comes to children and whom they become. Fortunately, Cate has always had great role models at school and in Nicholas, and we try to do our part, too. However, I cannot take credit for her athletic skills, her dedication to pushing herself in her pursuits, and her willingness - as she has aged - to adapt and try new things. Who would have thought broccoli would be one of her favorite foods and that she would become a dedicated walker and runner starting at age 14!

I love spending time with Cate and will cherish the time I have left with her under the same roof. More than a great daughter, she is a great companion and friend. I love you, Catey bug!

REPEAT!

Dani Rojas from "Ted Lasso" famously said, "Football is Life!" Our lives definitely resemble that remark with hours of watching soccer played by professionals or our kids.

Sometimes one is lucky to witness a masterpiece, and that is just what Cate's team the Michigan Tigers gave us in the Michigan State Cup Final, a resounding 6-1 victory! 

The team has played well this season, but this game was next level. Cate had a beautiful goal and 2 assists, and she completely bossed the midfield. I cannot wait to see what else this team achieves the rest of the season, but for now we will savor this big win!

Congrats campeonas!